Pro14: Munster 24-24 Ulster

Ulster failed to reach the Pro14 play-offs as they were unable to secure the bonus-point win they needed against Munster to give themselves a chance of finishing third in Conference B.

Rory Best crossed twice to add to Stuart McCloskey's opening touchdown as the Irish provinces drew 24-24.

Duncan Williams, Brian Scott and Robin Copeland scored Munster's tries.

Ulster are now likely to face a Champions Cup play-off against Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium next month.

Jono Gibbes's team finish fourth in Conference B and could still qualify automatically for a European Cup place if a series of results in other leagues, including the English Premiership and the French Top 14, as well as the Champions Cup final, go their way.

Munster had already secured a home quarter-final in the play-off series next month and fielded a vastly changed line-up from that which went down to Racing 92 in their European Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Williams took advantage of a fumble by scrum-half Dave Shanahan to kick, collect and score the opening try in the third minute, his half-back partner JJ Hanrahan then landing the first of his three conversions.

Munster's Darren Sweetnam tackles Ulster's Luke Marshall during the first half in Limerick

Ulster were soon on level terms when Jacob Stockdale picked up a loose ball and offloaded to Stuart McCloskey, who powered over, Johnny McPhillips adding the extras.

Fly-half McPhillips kicked a penalty from 40 metres out to nudge Ulster in front, before Iain Henderson was forced to come off with a knee injury.

Prop Scott barged over just before the half-hour mark to restore the hosts' advantage but Munster were reduced to 14 men for a spell soon after when Robin Copeland was sin-binned.

Best drove over from a rolling maul and the visitors capitalised on their extra-man advantage again on the stroke of half-time when the Ireland hooker again crashed over after a powerful maul, McPhillips' two conversions leaving it 24-14 at the break.

Luke Marshall was yellow-carded on 47 minutes and then Copeland stretched out to score and draw Munster to within five.

Hanrahan converted and then knocked over a penalty to level and despite enjoying late territorial pressure and possession, Ulster were unable to score the crucial try they needed.

Munster: S Fitzgerald; C Nash, S Arnold, D Goggin, D Sweetnam; JJ Hanrahan, D Williams; J Cronin, M Sherry (capt), B Scott; G Grobler, D O'Shea; D O'Callaghan, C Oliver, R Copeland.

Replacements: R Marshall, J Loughman, S Archer, J Kleyn, J O'Donoghue, J Hart, B Johnston, S Daly.

Ulster: L Ludik; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; J McPhillips, D Shanahan; C Black, R Best (capt), R Kane; A O'Connor, I Henderson; C Ross, S Reidy, N Timoney.

Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, T O'Toole, K Treadwell, C Henry, P Marshall, A Curtis, T Bowe.