Munster secure convincing win over youthful Ulster

Munster secure convincing win over youthful UlsterImage source, GettyImage caption, Alex Kendellen and John Hodnett scored three and four tries respectively for MunsterByRichard PetrieBBC Sport NI JournalistPublished2 hours agoUnited Rugby Championship, round 16Munster (12) 41Tries: Hodnett 4, Kendellen 3 Cons: Hanrahan 3Ulster (7) 14Tries: Arenzana-King, Andrew Cons: Flannery 2Munster leapfrogged Ulster in the United Rugby Championship table with a resounding seven-try 41-14 bonus-point win over their Irish interprovincial rivals at Thomond Park.With two rounds of the regular season still to play, the victory enhances the hosts' hopes of making the top eight who will contest the end-of-season knockout phase of the competition but also deals a blow to their opponents' ambitions of participating in the play-off stages.After an inexperienced injury-ravaged Ulster team made a promising start with a try by one of their youthful contingent, Aitzol Arenzana-King, Munster fought back, back row John Hodnett racking up four tries and substitute Alex Kendellen contributing a hat-trick.John Andrew scored Ulster's second-half try, with Jake Flannery kicking two conversions.Ulster have now lost five of their past eight URC encounters but must regroup for next Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter in Belfast and hope that at least some of their key players will be available again after injury.After turning their attention to that encounter, they face two home games against the Stormers and Glasgow Warriors to conclude their regular URC season.Munster's next match is away to Connacht, before they host the Lions.Munster recover from early deficitAfter a frenetic start in which the visitors looked the more enterprising, Arenzana-King, one of three academy players making their Ulster debuts, scored the opening try when he touched down in the corner.The northern province lost Tom Brigg to the sin-bin for deliberately slapping down the bal...