Munster nudged their noses ahead in Conference B overnight as Arno Botha struck late in a bonus-point win over Ospreys.

Johann van Graan’s men were well-beaten by Toyota Cheetahs in Round 3 but mostly looked comfortable at Irish Independent Park, with James Cronin going in early.

Ospreys made the hosts work though and were only down 7-6 at half-time, but scores for Rhys Marshall, Mike Haley and Arno Botha seized the day in the second half.

Key moments

This match was an arm-wrestle for the opening but burst into a life on 16 minutes saw a smart backs move result in the ball passed inside to Dan Goggin – the outside centre drawing two defenders and looping an excellent pass over to the waiting Cronin.

The Ospreys response came from two Luke Price penalties and they remained 7-6 down at half-time but more than in the fight.

After the interval came the telling passage of play, as Sam Cross saw yellow, Marshall skittled defenders across the in-goal area to touch down and Haley got a third on 49 minutes.

Price got two more penalties and Ospreys battled away in the last quarter at 21-12, until Botha scrambled over with a minute to go and JJ Hanrahan booted the conversion.

Man of the match

Without doubt Haley was Munster’s most potent attacking weapon on the night.

Goggin’s outside break for Cronin’s try was a delight but Haley made an astonishing 16 carries from full-back and claimed 121 metres – double that of anyone else.

Play of the day

Munster scored a wide variety of tries on the night but the pick of the bunch cam on 49 minutes as Haley danced over.

A flowing backs move looped Haley onto the outside of the defence and Haley broke into the 22 before stepping the last man for a simple dive over the line.

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