WATCH: Highlights of Munster’s 36-19 victory over Zebre in Italy

An Alex Wootton brace of second half tries saw Munster earn a bonus point win in Italy that sees them cement their playoff position and get the Johann van Graan era off to a winning start.

Munster started brightly racing into a 17-0 lead inside 26 minutes. JJ Hanrahan opened the scoring with a tenth minute penalty to edge Munster into a 3-0 lead.

Minutes later, a flat pass from Currow native put Rory Scannell through a gaping hole in the Zebre defence for the opening try.

That was followed up by a burrowing effort from scrum half James Hart who was making his first start for hte province. At 17-0 up Munster were in full control and going nicely.

However Munster were beginning to get on the wrong side of referee Lloyd Linton and some indiscipline allowed Zebre to claw their way back into the game.

Robyn Copeland was sent to the bin on 31 minutes and Zebre capitalised through Bisegni’s try with the extras added by scrum-half Guglielmo Palazzani. A second yellow, this time for centre Sam Arnold saw Sarto cross in the corner. A fine conversion from Palazzani saw the arrears cut to just three points.

Wootton’s quick fire brace settled Munster’s nerves to retake control of the game and take his season’s total to seven.

However the Italians who look much improved from last year under Michael Bradley refused to go away and grabbed their third try through Venditti in the 69th minute.

Young Munster’s Calvin Nash got his first Munster try in the last minute to cap a business like away performance from Munster and ensure that no further ground was lost to the Glasgow Warriors in top spot.

Video credit: Pro14 Rugby on YouTube.