Munster fortress crumbles as Sharks swim in Thomond torrent

Gianni Lombard scored the crucial points as a formidable defensive performance powered Sharks to a low-scoring 15-5 win over Munster.

In inhospitably rainy conditions at Thomond Park, scoring opportunities were at a premium and JP Pietersen’s men had the cutting edge as they racked up back-to-back away wins for the first time in the URC.

Zekhethelo Siyaya engineered the opening for the visitors and his kick sat up kindly for fly-half Lombard to pick up and cross.

Munster turned down one penalty in pursuit of a try but took the points just before half-time, allowing JJ Hanrahan to reduce the deficit to two at the break.

Lombard responded with a penalty of his own in the 53rd minute and the resilient tackling from the away team shut Munster out.

Sharks skipper Nick Hatton capped an evening of limited attacking threat by creating a second for his side, teeing up scrum-half Ivan van Zyl with Lombard adding the extras.

Meanwhile, Dragons avoided falling to a third consecutive United Rugby Championship defeat after securing a 35-14 bonus-point victory over Zebre in Newport.

Filo Tiatia’s men had suffered two consecutive losses to Welsh rivals Ospreys, and struck first against basement side Zebre when David Richards crossed for their first try in the sixth minute at Rodney Parade.

Tinus de Beer kicked the first of four conversions, and left wing Anzelo Tuitavuki added to their advantage in the 29th minute.

It remained 14-0 at half time, then Zebre were left short-handed when Simone Gesi was sent to the sin-bin in the 55th minute.

Fine Inisi immediately took advantage, touching down for Dragons’ fourth, before Zebre narrowed the deficit through a Matteo Canali try before Cai Evans restored the Welsh outfit’s advantage.

Tobias Wade clawed a try back for Zebre – Giacomo da Re converting for a second time – and a Dragons penalty try put a comeback well out of reach.