Munster's Rainbow Cup hopes over after Benetton awarded Ospreys tie

28 May 2021; CJ Stander of Munster during the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup match between Munster and Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Munster’s hopes of silverware this season have been ended after Benetton advanced to the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup final without playing their final game.

The Italian side needed a victory at Ospreys on Saturday to claim their place against South African opposition in the June 19 final but were confirmed as northern pool winners on Wednesday when positive Covid-19 cases in the Ospreys squad caused the cancellation of that final-round pool game.