WATCH: Munster surrender 17 point lead in Ravenhill collapse

In was another bitter interpro experience for Johann van Graan and his Munster charges who suffered a second consecutive interpro defeat following a 24-17 defeat at the hands of Ulster at Ravenhill.

What was more alarming was the manner in which Munster suffered a second half collapse, surrendering a 17-0 lead in the process and having Sam Arnold sent off for a high tackle.

It had all started so differently for Munster who were utterly dominant in the first half with two drive-over touchdowns by hooker Niall Scanell and a penalty try.

https://twitter.com/PRO14Official/status/947893533729574913

Centre Darren Cave dived to give Ulster a 58th-minute lifeline, followed by the dismissal of Munster centre Arnold for a challenge on Christian Lealiifano.

Munster’s game management seemed bereft of the clinical efficiency that saw the record back to back European games over the Leicester Tigers.

What a second half we are having in Belfast!@Munsterrugby have seen Sam Arnold red carded and @UlsterRugby have got the bit between their teeth. Tune into @BBCSPORTNI to watch the last 15 minutes!#GUINNESSPRO14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/WmvTKezeGa

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 1, 2018

Ulster weren’t finished yet with winger Craig Gilroy grabbing two tries before Rob Lyttle’s bonus-point score in the last play of the game. Christian Lealiifano had the chance to deny Munster a losing bonus point but his effort was wide of the mark.

The loss sees Munster with a disappointing 7-5 league record yet still well placed to secure a playoff berth. Another worrying stat is that Munster have lost all 4 interpro games this year and have only won twice on the road in the Pro14 this year.

Despite being 14 points clear of the Cardiff Blues, the Cheetahs could overtake Munster if the account for their two games in hand with maximum points.

All in all it will make for a difficult week ahead as van Graan and co look to recapture their European form heading into the Connacht game and with two huge Champions Cup game looming.

https://twitter.com/PRO14Official/status/947914088969134082

Ulster: Piutau; Gilroy, Cave, McCloskey, Lyttle; Lealiifano, Cooney; McCall, Herring (capt), Ah You; O’Connor, Treadwell; Jones, Timoney, Deysel.

Replacements: McBurney, Black, Herbst, Diack, Rea, P Marshall, McPhillips, Trimble.

Munster: Zebo; Nash, Earls, Arnold, Wootton; Hanrahan, Williams; Cronin, N Scannell, Ryan; O’Shea, Holland (capt); O’Donnell, Cloete, O’Donoghue.

Replacements: O’Byrne, Loughman, Archer, Wycherley, Copeland, Hart, Johnston, R O’Mahony.