O'Mahony returns as Munster trounce Zebre 49-5

Munster 49 - 5 Zebre

CJ Stander led Munster's onslaught as they trounced Zebre by 49-5 in the Pro12 encounter on Saturday.

The bonus-point victory allowed Munster to climb to the second spot in the Pro12 table. The game also saw the return of Ireland international Peter O'Mahony after almost a year following his recovery from a knee injury.

The first half saw a complete dominance from Munster as Darren Sweetnam (2'), Conor Murray (22'), Stander (28') and Simon Zebo (31') all touching down while fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal converted all the four tries to take Munster to 28-0 at half-time.

12 minutes into the second half, Munster were awarded a penalty try following a tackle on Sweetnam without a ball. This time replacement Ian Keatley added the extras to take the score to 35-0.

Keatley also played his role in assisting prop Stephen Archer with his 63rd minute try. Even though wing Di Giulio managed to open Zebre's account with a try in the 71st minute, Stander responded back with the seventh try of Munster, his second in the game, and with Keatley's conversion, the home side won the game convincingly by 49-5.

Zebre continue to languish at the bottom of the table after losing all the four games this season.