Pro14 Rainbow Cup: Munster 31-27 Cardiff Blues

Fineen Wycherley scores Munster's second try against Cardiff Blues

Munster kept alive their hopes of a Pro14 Rainbow Cup final place with a bonus-point victory over Cardiff Blues.

After trailing 10-0 early on to a Tomos Williams try, Munster battled back with two tries from hooker Niall Scannell and second-row Fineen Wycherley.

Williams added a second score before replacement Lloyd Williams crossed, while Jarrod Evans kicked 12 points.

Replacement prop Keynan Knox sealed the win with Munster's fourth try, with Joey Carbery contributing 11 points.

The match ended in controversy as Munster captain CJ Stander successfully used the new captain's challenge trial law to stop Cardiff Blues from clinching a late victory. It was an underwhelming end to a thrilling match that yielded seven tries.

Munster have gone above previous north leaders Benetton, with the top European side facing the leading South African team in a final in Italy on 19 June.

The Irish province play their final match against Zebre on 11 June, with Italian side Benetton facing Connacht and Ospreys.

It was a perfect way to mark the final appearances at Thomond Park of Munster captain Stander and flanker Tommy O'Donnell, with both players retiring at the end of the season.

Munster achieved the victory without the services of 2021 British and Irish Lion Conor Murray, after the Ireland scrum-half sustained a leg injury in the 24-20 defeat by Connacht two weeks ago.

Cardiff Blues included another South Africa-bound Lions player, wing Josh Adams, in their starting line-up, while Wales back-rower James Botham made his first appearance for the region since April.

Jarrod Evans set up the opening try with a great, flat pass to Willis Halaholo, who slipped in Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams. Evans slotted the conversion and added a penalty to give the visitors an early 10-point lead.

Munster responded with three converted tries in eight minutes to lead 21-10 at half-time.

Wing Josh Adams is the only Cardiff Blues player selected for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour

Hooker Scannell burrowed over twice from driving lineouts either side of second-row Wycherley crashing over.

Cardiff Blues battled back with a second score from scrum-half Williams after clever build-up work from Hallam Amos and Seb Davies.

The Welsh region demonstrated the danger they posed when they had possession, with Evans and centre Ben Thomas pulling the midfield strings.

Carbery slotted over a penalty before Munster full-back Mike Haley was yellow-carded for a dangerous challenge on opposite number Amos.

Referee Andrew Brace stated there were mitigating circumstances to avoid a sending-off after Haley appeared to make contact with Amos' head.

Cardiff Blues captain Josh Turnbull took advantage of the extra man with an outrageous dummy before releasing replacement Lloyd Williams to score, with Evans' conversion levelling the scores at 24-24.

Evans slotted over his second penalty as Cardiff Blues regained the lead, but Munster were not finished as replacement prop Keynan Knox crashed over before three late captain's challenges dominated the closing minutes.

Munster launched proceedings after Halaholo had obstructed Gavin Coombes but while that was successful, Brace ruled a Munster high tackle was more serious and awarded the visitors a penalty.

Cardiff Blues captain Turnbull was unsuccessful in his captain's challenge, before Munster's Stander launched another one of his own.

He had spotted Lloyd Williams kicking the ball back into a ruck and Brace agreed after viewing several replays as the hosts claimed victory.

It proved a timely and expert intervention from Stander to complete his final act at Thomond Park.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Damian de Allende, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Donoghue, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander (capt).

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Keynan Knox, Gavin Coombes, Peter O'Mahony, Nick McCarthy, Jack Crowley, Jack O'Sullivan.

Cardiff Blues: Hallam Amos; Jason Harries, Willis Halaholo, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Cory Hill, Josh Turnbull (capt), James Botham, James Ratti.

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Dmitri Arhip, Rory Thornton, Olly Robinson, Lloyd Williams, Dan Fish, Matthew Morgan.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Rob O'Sullivan, Nigel Correll (both IRFU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)