Simon Zebo bullish about Munster's chances heading into crucial period

Munster legend Simon Zebo believes Munster will travel to Belfast full of confidence next weekend after they defied their injury problems to overturn the Bulls 26-22 at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

Fly-half Charlie O’Shea scored a try in each half in a Player of the Match display in his first competitive start for the province, with tries from Diarmuid Kilgallen and Alex Kendellen bookending his brace in the URC clash.

Munster had the majority share of the possession and territory and Zebo was particularly pleased with how the young side closed out the win, their first of the season after a 26-20 home loss to Glasgow in round one.

Speaking after the match on Premier Sports, Zebo believes the bonus-point victory will stand Munster in good stead going into next Saturday’s match against Ulster in Belfast, which is followed by the Champions Cup tie at home to Racing 92.

“That’s exactly where you want to be heading into an inter-pro, you want the confidence, especially when it is an away inter-pro game, against Ulster, who we’ve had some really tough battles with over the past couple of years,” Zebo said.

“I think Munster will fancy their chances, although going up there will be difficult. But they can take a lot of confidence.

“There was a lot of quality in that Bulls team, and to put them away with such a young group and to have such an a mature second half performance from them in terms of the position where they played and how they played and approached that second half.

“That was really good stuff, far better than last week.”

The only downside from the night was the eighth-minute leg injury suffered by prop Michael Milne.