Munster make it three from three to maintain winning start with resilient away win over Ospreys.

It was far from perfect but Munster showed a different side to their game at the Liberty Stadium as they ground out a satisfying 21-16 win over the Welsh region to sit proudly on top of conference A.

Opening half tries from Jean Kleyn and Darren Sweetnam laid the foundations for a Munster victory as Rassie Erasmus and his charges hang on to top spot in the table.

The tries cancelled out James Hook’s early try for the hosts as the sides battled wet and blustery conditions in the principality. Coming into the game on the back of two free flowing and high scoring wins over Benetton and the Cheetahs, Munster were fully aware that Ospreys would pose a higher standard of opposition and an entirely different challenge.

It was first blood to Munster when Tyler Bleyendaal slotted home a penalty on nine minutes, having missed two earlier kicks which he would have expected to make. James Hook then crossed for the first try of the game.

Chris Farrell in a fit of defensive over exuberance nailed Sam Davies but in doing so left a huge gap in the midfield which the veteran former Wales back exploited. Davies dusted himself down to slot the extras an Ospreys led 7-3.

Rassie: "It wasn't a great performance, but we gutted it out. There's a lot to work on." #OSPvMUN pic.twitter.com/2ZYijJpers

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 16, 2017

In true Munster fashion the response was assured and swift. The resurgent South African lock Jean Kleyn crashed over for his fourth try in 3 games and is making a bit of a habit of finding himself in the right place in the right time. Bleyendaal adding the two as the visitors opened up a 10-7 advantage.

The ball spent a lot of time in the air as both sides looked to play the territory game and reduce the risk. It was developing into a cautious game of aerial poker both sides were trying to hold their nerve.

And it was the visitors who secured the crucial score, and stretched their advantage further four minutes before half-time. Wing Sweetnam crossed the whitewash after smart link up play between Chris Farrell and Sean O’Connor.

Ospreys responded after the break wth a long range penalty from Davies as Munster were penalised for offside but Tyler Bleyendaal who had an indifferent day with the boot, returned the favour with another three pointer following an infringement from prop Ma’afu Fia.

Ospreys rang the changes as Steve Tandy introduced Guy Mercer and Adam Beard for Dan Lydiate and Lloyd Ashley, while CBC man John Ryan took to the turf for his 100^th Munster appearance replacing the impressive Stephen Archer.

Well done to MOTM @JeanKleyn #OSPvMUN Great to get our 1st win on the road! pic.twitter.com/QqZ43MGxz6

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 16, 2017

Davies second and third penalties cut the gap to just two points with seventeen minutes remaining and it looked as if the home side had generated enough momentum to overtake the visitors.

Munster dug their heels in and repelled wave after wave of Ospreys attack. Not only this but they also responded with a final Bleyendaal penalty to extend to gap to five points and put the Ospreys our of penalty or drop goal range.

Ospreys would get one final chance as Keelan Giles got the ball in what looked like a dangerous attacking move before being ushered into touch by the Munster defence. Another game down and another win for Rassie Erasmus and his team.

Talking Points: Another really impressive performance from Munster and most notably again in the attacking aspects of the game, this side have really demonstrated a new found direction. Chris Farrell again was a powerhouse in midfield and bar a defensive lapse for the Hook try, the ex Grenoble player was influential.

Munster, like the other Irish provinces cannot throw money around in a bid to solve their problems. Hard work and a commitment to evolve their game is the only weapon in their armoury. It is only three games in but Munster have shown genuine promise and improvements from last year. Next up is Glasgow away and a whole new set of questions to answer.