Munster coach Anthony Foley said his side’s bonus point victory over Dragons was more in line with what is to be expected from his side as they head into a highly competitive run-in in the Pro12.
James Cronin’s late try snatched a bonus point win with two minutes remaining at Thomond Park, as Munster won for the first time at home since October in the league.
They are now in place to launch a bid for Champions Cup qualification next term as well as potentially qualifying for the play-off places in the Pro12.
Munster had lost three-in-a-row at home in the Pro12, but two tries from Dave Kilcoyne coupled with efforts of Rory Scannell and Cronin ensured they got back on track, ahead of their game in hand against Cardiff.
“The boys played well, they went about their job very well. It was difficult at times. Dragons, as we knew coming into the game, were going to be tough.
Knocking them
“They were physical with their nine and ten the challenged a lot around the edges but our boys kept turning up and knocking them down and granted there was one or two occasions where the TMO was called in but for the vast majority of the game I thought we controlled it. Apart from a ten-minute blast in the second half where we couldn’t get out of our 22,” said Foley.
Dragons were looking to do the double over Munster for the first time since 2003-04, after their 22-6 win at Rodney Parade in Round Six.
And Munster were lucky to hold a 12-0 half-time lead, after Kilcoyne in the 19th minute, and Rory Scannell seven minutes before the interval both crossed the whitewash.
They were already halfway towards the bonus point and when Kilcoyne dotted down on the resumption and Ian Keatley’s conversion made it 19-0, Munster were in charge.
But Hallam Amos’s try ensured a nervy finish. Munster had lost at home to Connacht, Leinster and Glasgow since their Round Six victory over Ulster. Replacement Cronin finally made the bonus point safe in the 78th minute and it was a massive relief.
It was a positive night all-round for Munster and the reappearance of tighthead Stephen Archer for the first time since October saw him claim his 100th cap. While Johnny Holland’s return from a long-term knock also added to the Foley’s delight.
“Having Stephen back has been something we’ve been looking down the line at. He’s a quality player,” said Foley.
“At the end of last season he was one of our form players and that neck issue he had was carried into pre-season and it emerged in the early games but we had to get it sorted so it’s great to have him back now. It’s great to have Johnny Holland back.
“That hamstring being ripped off the bone in November of last season (2014) and he’s gotten back. It’s taken a bit of a while to get him back but he came on today and was very composed.”
