Munster beat Lions to make play-offs as Ulster out

United Rugby Championship, round 18 Munster (17) 24 Tries: O'Connell, Casey, Ahern Cons: Hanrahan 3 Pen: Hanrahan Lions (14) 17 Tries: Horn, Mpeku Cons: Smith 2 Pens: Smith Munster beat the Lions 24-17 in a hard-fought United Rugby Championship game at Thomond Park to progress to the quarter-final knockout stage of the competition. The result edged Challenge Cup finalists Ulster out of the top eight in the table and they will not contest the play-offs. Munster's win moved them up to fifth in the final league standings and they will be away to the Bulls, with the Lions, who finished seventh, away to Leinster.

Munster withstood some early pressure from the Lions, transferred play to the other end and quick ball brought them close to the posts, Evan O'Connell rumbling over for the opening try. JJ Hanrahan, a late inclusion in the starting team after Jack Crowley withdrew with a knock, landed the first of his three conversions. Alex Nankivell and Fineen Wycehrley were also withdrawals from the Munster line-up originally named on Friday.

The next score went to the Lions when full-back Quan Horn cantered home after anticipating Dan Kelly's long pass, soon after Brian Gleeson had been held up at the opposite end of the pitch. Hanrahan put three between the sides with a penalty after the Lions were penalised at the breakdown. The hosts received their first yellow card when Andrew Smith was sent to the bin for a knock-on and then just after the half-hour mark Sean O'Brien was shown a yellow for knocking forward after consultation with the television match official (TMO), reducing the Irish province temporarily to 13 players.

The visitors took advantage of their numerical advantage when they turned the ball over and it made its way to Kelly Mpeku, who took the ball in space and ran in to score. Munster battled back however and ensured that they had a three-point lead at the break as Craig Casey darted over after some pressure on the Lions line, and Hanrahan added the extras. The home side increased their advantage in the 54th minute when Casey made the initial line break and Tom Ahern surged over to cross, Hanrahan again successful from the tee.