Munster 28-14 Edinburgh

Munster (14) 28
Tries: Howlett, Buckley, Earls, O'Boyle Cons: Warwick 4
Edinburgh (7) 14
Tries: Cairns, Paterson Cons: Paterson 2

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Keith Earls is tackled by Nick de Luca at Musgrave Park

Munster returned to the top of the Magners League as they earned a bonus-point win over Edinburgh in Cork.

Doug Howlett punished weak tackling to score Munster's first try but Ben Cairns pounced to get Edinburgh level after some sloppy home defending.

Tony Buckley's touchdown helped Munster lead 14-7 at the break and Keith Earls' score then made the game safe.

Ciaran O'Boyle's intercept try ensured the bonus point although Paterson notched a late score for the visitors.

Leinster had moved to the top of the table after their earlier win on Sunday but Munster's young guns recovered from a misfiring second quarter to claim a comprehensive win at Musgrave Park.

Munster, with Denis Leamy in terrific form, produced all the early pressure and it was eventually rewarded by Howlett's try.

After a series of pick and goes in midfield, Howlett slipped out of attempted tackles from Andrew Turnbull and Cairns to score in the right corner.

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Warwick added a superb conversion from the touchline but Munster's early lead lasted only eight minutes.

From a position on the Munster 22, Edinburgh flanker Alan MacDonald gobbled up a line-out ball and though Lifeimi Mafi looked to have wrestled the ball back on Munster's side, it popped up nicely for Cairns to race under the posts.

Paterson added the conversion and Edinburgh were level, totally against the run of play.

There was abrasive play from both packs which suited New Zealander Nick Williams and late call-up Alan Quinlan, who took the place of Donnacha Ryan because of a family bereavement.

Shortly before half-time, a surge from Earls got Munster back within scoring range and burley prop Buckley barged his way over in the corner with Warwick adding the conversion.

Paterson missed a good penalty chance after half-time to cut Munster's lead and the Edinburgh full-back's mistake then set up the attack which led to Earls' 57th-minute try.

Howlett snaffled the ball back after Paterson had failed to gather a garryowen and Mafi's weighted kick put Earls charging over from the left.

Warwick added the extras and eight minutes later, O'Boyle seized a poor pass from Edinburgh replacement Bruce McNeil to run in an intercept score.

Edinburgh's late score came after Munster prop Federico Pucciariello was left exposed by David Blair's darting run with Paterson finishing off the move.

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Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, C O'Boyle; P Warwick, P Stringer; F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, T Buckley; M O'Driscoll (capt), A Quinlan; D Leamy, N Ronan, N Williams. Replacements: M Essex for Fogarty 77, D Hurley for Buckley 64, B Holland for Williams 67, M Prendergast for Stringer 70, J Manning for Denis Hurley 67, K Lewis for Earls 76.

Edinburgh: C Paterson, A Turnbull, B Cairns, N De Luca, M Robertson, D Blair, G Laidlaw, K Traynor, A Kelly, R Grant, C Hamilton, B Gissing, S Cross, A MacDonald, A Hogg (capt). Replacements: Lawrie for Kelly 67, McNeil for Traynor 58, MacLeod for C Hamilton 58, Newlands for S Cross 9, Meyer for Laidlaw 66, Thompson for Robertson 55, Reid for Turnbull 58.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRFU)

Att: 6,500