'Hurting' Munster put long week behind them, turn attention to key Ulster clash 

SMILING SLIDE: Munster's Alex Kendellen goes over with relish for their fifth try of a comprehensive URC win over Benetton at the Stadio Comunale Monigo in Treviso. Pic: Roberto Bregani, Inpho

United Rugby Championship: Benetton Treviso 15 Munster 45

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne said the mindset which helped them brush Benetton aside Saturday in a seven tries to two win is what they now need to take into next weekend’s URC showdown with Ulster.

Beirne said they were itching to produce a response since their disappointing exit from the Challenge Cup in Exeter two weeks ago.

And with just about every other result going against Munster this weekend, Beirne said they have little wriggle room at this stage in the race for qualification.

“I suppose our mindset,” said Beirne when asked about the difference in this one from the Exeter loss. “We were hurting after. It's been a long two weeks for us. We've been thinking about this game for a long time to have a reaction to that. One game is not going to be good enough here. We're going to have to move on from this pretty quickly.

Centre Alex Nankivell led the way in the 45-15 win with Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Gavin Coombes, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellan, Brian Gleeson and Beirne himself getting the tries.

The win was enough to keep Munster in the top half with three rounds left after they dropped out of the qualification zone prior to kick-off with results elsewhere.

They will now take on Ulster at Thomond Park next Saturday, going into the round in sixth place and just a point behind Richie Murphy’s men but only two points ahead of ninth place Connacht.

“Our focus is going straight to Ulster next week because we see how tight the whole league is,” added Beirne. “Our mindset is going to have to stay where it is. We're going to have to keep bringing that physicality. I'm very proud of the boys, but we'll have to take another step up next week.

“We have to be in knockout rugby by the end of the year. There's a lot of pressure on us each game.”

Head coach Clayton McMillan admitted Munster’s season was on the line in Treviso

“The players played exceptionally well, stood up for each other, won all the big moments and got the reward.

“That sets a little bit of a benchmark for us around attitude and application. So, a good start but we keep going.” Munster are based in Ireland for the remainder of the campaign, starting at home to Ulster next week, then up the road to Connacht and a the final game of the schedule at home to the Lions.

“Look it's a massively congested table and you know you don't want to be relying on other people to do your favour,” added McMillan.

“So we're going turn up next week and apply ourselves during the week to give us a good chance on Saturday.”

BENETTON: M Gallagher (Garbisi 73); L Lynagh (L Marin 63), T Menoncello (Cannone 75), M Fekitoa, P Odogwu; J Umaga, A Garbisi (A Uren 68); D Aminu (I Nemer 58), N Gasperini (B Bernasconi 45), M Gallorini (T Pasquali 45); G Marini, F Ruzza; S Negri (A Izekor 20), M Lamaro (c), L Cannone (J Kingi 68).

MUNSTER: S Daly (Coombes 73); C Nash, T Farrell (D Kelly 23-41), A Nankivell (D Kelly 73), A Smith; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman (M Milne 48), D Barron (L Barron 58), M Ala’alatoa (O Jager half-time); J Kleyn (E Edogbo 60), T Beirne (c); T Ahern (B Gleeson 60), J Hodnett (A Kendellen 48), G Coombes (B O’Donovan 68).

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales).