Bulls overpower Munster to reach URC semi-finals

Bulls overpower Munster to reach URC semi-finalsImage source, InphoImage caption, The Bulls will meet Glasgow for a place in the final after proving too strong for MunsterByIssy ToddBBC Sport NI contributorPublished10 minutes agoUnited Rugby Championship quarter-finalBulls (31) 45Tries: Papier 2, Arendse, Grobbelaaar, Hanekom, Jacobs Cons: Pollard 6 Pen: PollardMunster (14) 14Tries: O'Donoghue, Nankivell Cons: Hanrahan 2Munster's United Rugby Championship title hopes were ended in ruthless fashion by the Bulls, who scored six tries to overpower the Irish province in their quarter-final in Pretoria. Bulls scrum-half Embrose Papier scored two tries, with Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom and Stravino Jacobs also crossing as the hosts set up a semi-final against Glasgow Warriors in Murrayfield next week. Jack O'Donoghue and Alex Nankivell scored first-half tries for Munster but they were held scoreless in the second period as their season ended in disappointing fashion. The Springbok-loaded Bulls immediately applied pressure and crossed twice in the opening 10 minutes through Papier and Arendse, the latter coming after some fine work from Willie le Roux. Already without captain Tadhg Beirne and Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley, Munster lost Tom Ahern to a head injury assessment (HIA), but responded well to a difficult start when O'Donoghue struck after a period of sustained pressure.After a Handre Pollard penalty stretched the Bulls' lead, the impressive Nankivell breathed new life into Munster's challenge with a well-taken try.However, the clinical Bulls responded emphatically and scored two tries in quick succession through Grobbelaar and Hanekom to take a commanding 31-14 lead at the break. Munster left to reflect on 'mixed bag'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Munster were held scoreless in the second half While Munster attempted to eat into the deficit, Papier picked off an intercept and sprinted clear...