Pro14: A last-minute JJ Hanrahan drop-goal gives leaders Munster a dramatic away win over Benetton

JJ Hanrahan won the game for Munster with the last kick of the match

A last-minute JJ Hanrahan drop-goal gave much-changed Munster a dramatic 18-16 win over Benetton in Treviso.

Having fallen 12-0 down early on, a Leonardo Sarto try in the 71st minute had looked like it was going to secure an unlikely comeback win for the hosts.

Darren Sweetnam and Niall Scannell scored tries in the opening 10 minutes as Munster led 12-11 at the break, with Marco Riccioni crossing for Benetton.

The win sees Munster extend their Conference B lead to 15 points.

It is a ninth win in 11 Pro14 outings this season for the province, who suffered a narrow late defeat by Leinster last week.

Head coach Johann van Graan made 13 changes to his team for the trip to Italy, with Mike Haley and Gavin Coombes the only two players to retain their place.

Benetton remain the only side in the Pro14 to still be searching for a first win this season.

Sweetnam went over for his try from a Mike Haley kick in the second minute, with Scannell capitalising on a mistake to build their lead with a try converted by Ben Healy.

Riccioni's try and two penalties from Allan brought the hosts into the game before half-time, with Sarto putting them 16-15 ahead with nine minutes remaining.

Substitute Hanrahan then won it for Munster in dramatic fashion with that drop-goal on the full-time whistle.

Benetton: Hayward; Esposito, Riera, Brex, Benvenuti; Allan, Braley; Gallo, Baravalle, Riccioni, Herbst, Ruzza, Barbini (capt), Zuliani, Halafihi.

Replacements: Els, Quaglio, Pasquali, Snyman, Pettinelli, Sgarbi, Petrozzi, Sarto.

Munster: Haley, L Coombes, Goggin, R Scannell, Sweetnam; Healy, McCarthy; J Wycherley, N Scannell, Salanoa, F Wycherley, Holland (capt); O'Donoghue, Cloete, G Coombes.

Replacements: O'Byrne, Loughman, Archer, Ahern, O'Donnell, Patterson, Hanrahan, de Allende.