Munster Rugby took a step closer to defending its BKT United Rugby Championship crown with a 23-7 win over a spirited Ospreys side at Thomond Park.

Munster started the match with a bang, as fullback Simon Zebo shook off Keelan Giles to get over for the opening try inside two minutes, with Munster looking up for the fixture.

Despite being somewhat shellshocked by the Munster start, Ospreys steadied themselves two minutes later with a try through Giles. 

Taking a superb ball from Owen Williams, Giles showed a clear pair of heels as he raced away from the Munster defenders.

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Munster would get its second try of the match by finally wearing down a resilient Ospreys defense through hooker Niall Scannell, who showed great strength to wrestle the ball to the ground from a maul.

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This would prove to be the match's final try, as Jack Crowley landed three penalties to take Munster into an unassailable lead.

While it never looked under pressure, Munster will be frustrated about not breaking the Ospreys down.

The most noticeable Munster issue was the breakdown, where the Ospreys disrupted their regular up-tempo game. Facing wave after wave of bodies at the breakdown, scrumhalf Craig Casey did well to keep Munster moving, but the ball was too slow to generate any real attacks.

On a positive note for the champions, their bench once again had a major impact, especially at scrum time, when Oli Jager, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan got firmly on top of their opposite numbers.

For the Ospreys, the match was another clear sign of their improvement, with their defense showing a real bite that will stand them in good stead going forward.

Up next for Munster will be the winner of the Glasgow Warriors and DHL Stormers match at Scotstoun Stadium.

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