Guinness PRO12
Munster down Glasgow to go top
PA Sport
February 28, 2015
Munster back Keith Earls was among the tryscorers © PA Photos
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Munster moved above Glasgow to the top of the Guinness PRO12 after defeating the under-strength Scots in Cork in a 22-10 bonus point win.

Anthony Foley's men stormed out of the blocks but had nothing to show for some terrific build-up play until young flanker Jack O'Donoghue crossed in the 28th minute. Hooker Eusebio Guinazu added a second before the break for a 12-0 lead.

Glasgow looked a shell of the side that had surged to the league's summit, missing 23 players due to a combination of Scotland commitments, injuries and suspensions.

They launched a stirring second half fight-back, though, setting up prop Rossouw de Klerk for a fine 59th minute try. Munster responded immediately with a superb Keith Earls score and CJ Stander's maul try registered the bonus point.

Ulster made it four Guinness PRO12 wins in succession to move level with Glasgow at the top of the table, downing Scarlets 25-20 in a hard-fought match.

Tries from Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall and Ruan Pienaar got Ulster the four points with the South African ending up with 15 points from the final total.

However, Neil Doak's men will be disappointed not to have bagged a bonus win on the night Ian Humphreys won his 100th cap - Kristian Phillips' late try denying them outright leadership of the league.

Tries from John Barclay, sub Phillips and two conversions and the same number of penalties from Steven Shingler brought up the Scarlets' total as they made off with a valuable losing bonus point after they had found themselves trailing 25-13.

Ospreys passed up a golden opportunity to climb back into the play-off places as a final-minute Jimmy Gopperth penalty sealed a 9-9 draw for Leinster at the Liberty Stadium.

The hosts were 9-6 up going into the final 90 seconds, when replacement Morgan Allen was penalised in his 22 at a ruck. Gopperth stepped up and put the ball through the posts to claim his third penalty and give the visitors a share of the spoils.

The Ospreys' points came by way of two penalties and a drop goal from outside-half Sam Davies, who was forced from the field midway through the second half for a concussion check.

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