THE WHEELS ARE coming off Munster’s Pro12 challenge after they were throttled 34-10 by Benetton Treviso in Italy.
The Munster team that lined out at Stadio di Mongio contained established names such as James Coughlan, James Downey, Wian du Preez and Felix Jones but they were second best all afternoon.
Rob Penney’s men conceded the first of five tries, to Ludovico Nitoglia, after three minutes and a further score from Filippo Giusti on 19 minutes made it 12-0.
Ian Keatley tagged the home side back with a 24th minute penalty but Franco Smith’s side were not finished their scoring spree.
Gideon la Grange raced free to score and Alberto di Bernardo added the extras. The outhalf’s penalty before the break made it 22-3.
A chink of light emerged early in the second-half for the visitors when Treviso hooker Giovanni Maistri was yellow carded. Munster were then awarded a penalty try but the good times came to halt soon after.
A nice try from scrum-half Fabio Semenzato on 61 minutes ended all hopes of a comeback and the final blow was delivered by Giulio Toniolatti with two minutes left on the clock.
Munster remain in sixth in the Pro12 but are now six points behind last season’s champions Ospreys.
Penney’s men lost 18-10 to Scarlets last week and have won just one of their past four league games.
Treviso move past Connacht into eight place.
