‘Massive’ lift for Munster

Zebre 7 Munster 31: Munster got the result and — for 40 minutes at least — the performance they wanted in Italy which sends them into next Saturday’s vital Champions Cup clash with Saracens.

But while Munster blew a poor Zebre side away in the opening half, they stepped off the gas when they wrapped up the bonus point just after the restart.

Aside from the result, though, the big bonus on Saturday was the return of Keith Earls and James Cronin from injury, with the pair coming off the bench and coming through unscathed.