Munster secured a bonus point victory against Cardiff Blues in their penultimate United Rugby Championship fixture.

Braces from Mike Haley and substitute Craig Casey along with Thomas Ahern’s try and Ben Healy’s 15 points from the tee, were ultimately enough for the home side to twice come from behind, powering themselves to an important, hard-earned, 42-21 win.

Cardiff started like a team keen to avenge their lacklustre loss to Scarlets. Within 45 seconds, there were handbags as players squared up to each other off the ball. But within two minutes, Cardiff had gone downfield and opened the scoring through flanker Seb Davies’s first try of the season with Jarrod Evans converting.

Munster bit back immediately through Mike Haley but Ray Lee Lo restored Cardiff’s seven-point advantage with a well-taken try. Chosen at fly half over Joey Carbery, a penalty from Ben Healy made it 14-10 to the visitors after the first quarter of the match. 

Shortly afterwards, Haley’s nimble feet had him dancing under the posts and with Healy’s conversion, Munster led for the first time. Blues were forced into a few substitutions in the backs, Rhys Priestland and Garyn Smith coming on earlier than anticipated.

The momentum had swayed towards Munster and backed by a lively home support, Thomas Ahern got over right on half time, which aided by five further points from Healy’s boot left Munster leading 27-14 at half time. 

The second half began scrappily before an individual piece of brilliance from Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams got them within a score again. Healy’s last act, kicking a penalty on the hour gave Munster breathing space again.

Within minutes of arriving, Craig Casey had cantered over for the home side’s fourth and bonus point try. The substitute scrum half would score again, furrowing over in the corner four minutes from the end.

Munster will hope to pick up this momentum against Leinster but for now, with no injuries and maximum points secured, the Cork province can consider this a thoroughly satisfying night’s work.