Leicester Tigers too strong for Munster

Leicester Tigers have secured a third successive European Champions Cup victory by beating Munster 31-19 in Pool 4.

The visitors struck first when Owen Williams split the posts with a penalty, before Ian Keatley hit back with one of his own to level the scores.

Keatley would edge Munster in front with his second penalty, but after missing with a third attempt, Williams made it 6-6 from close to the halfway line.

Leicester took control of the game with a strong finish to the first half as Vereniki Goneva charged over after a driving maul had been halted just short of the line.

Another long spell of pressure produced the second try when Mike Fitzgerald recovered the ball from a lineout to sprint clear, and the conversions from Williams ensured the visitors led by 12 at the break.

Munster made the first breakthrough of the second half when James Cronin pushed the ball over at a ruck, but Keatley was unable to add the conversion.

Leicester were put under more pressure when Marcos Ayerza was sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle on Conor Murray, which allowed Keatley to further reduce the deficit with a penalty.

However, it was Leicester who struck before Ayerza returned to the field as Youngs showed a fine turn of pace to slide over, and a Williams conversion extended the lead to 25-14.

Mike Sherry combined well with Keith Earls to deliver another try for Munster, but after Keatley missed another conversion, Tommy Bell sent over a couple of penalties to put Leicester beyond reach.