Munster end URC losing run with victory over Lions

Munster's Bill Burns tackles Lions centre Henco Van Wyk at Thomond Park

United Rugby Championship

Munster (7) 17

Tries: Abrahams, Daly, Kendellen Con: Burns

Lions (10) 10

Try: Van Wyk Pen: Wolhuter Con: Wolhuter

Munster brought an end to a run of three straight United Rugby Championship defeats with a 19-10 victory over Lions at Thomond Park.

The Irish team's interim boss Ian Costello took charge of an URC game for the first time following the departure last month of Graham Rowntree.

Munster moved in front thanks to a converted Thaakir Abrahams try before the South African visitors hit back.

Henco Vab Wyk went over for a converted try and Kade Wolhuter's penalty gave Lions a 10-7 lead at the break.

Shane Daly added a second try for Munster just two minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Alex Kendellen touched down for another Munster try on 53 minutes as the Limerick men secured a much-needed win.

Munster strike first

Munster were first on the scoreboard after 15 minutes when Abrahams squeezed over after scooping up John Ryan's bouncing pass.

Billy Burns added the extras before Lions fought back with Van Wyk's brilliant try on 27 minutes, with the centre beating six defenders and going over.

Wolhuter levelled with the conversion and then split the posts from a penalty to send his team in with a three-point advantage at half-time.

It was all change in the second half as Munster ran in two tries while Lions failed to add to their tally.

Daly made an instant impact from the bench as Abrahams used turnover ball to surge down the right before sending him over.

Munster stretched their lead to 17-10 when Kendellen, with support from Ryan, burrowed over although Burns was off target for a second time with his conversion attempt.

Munster: Mike Haley; Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron (capt), John Ryan, Evan O'Connell, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Shane Daly.

Emirates Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (capt), Edwill van der Merwe; Kade Wolhuter, Morne van den Berg; Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruben Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Jarod Cairns, WJ Steenkamp, Francke Horn.

Replacements: Franco Marais, Morgan Naude, Conraad van Vuuren, Reinhard Nothnagel, JC Pretorius, Sanele Nohamba, Tapiwa Mafura, Erich Cronje.