HEINEKEN CUP POOL 5 Munster 51 Tries: Staunton, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Foley 2, Payne, Holland 2 Cons: O'Gara 4 Pens: O'Gara Treviso 0

Munster 51-0 Treviso

Munster emphasised their credentials as genuine Heineken Cup contenders again this season with this thumping victory over outclassed Treviso at Thomond Park.

The Italians were weak opposition but Munster nevertheless showed a fluency which augurs well for remainder of the campaign.

Man-of-the-match Paul O'Connell produced another towering display as the Irish province helped themselves to eight tries in the wet conditions.

Munster took time to get into their stride with Ronan O'Gara opting to kick on several occasions in the opening 10 minutes when a pass out wide might have yielded better results.

Fit-again Rob Henderson seemed certain to notch the opening try of the game in the 11th minute but he spilled the ball just short of the Treviso line.

Munster pressure did earn a penalty in front of the posts in the 16th minute which O'Gara gratefully accepted.

The boys did a very good job in the wet conditions Munster coach Alan Gaffney

The home side finally got their backline moving in the 20th minute with full-back Jeremy Staunton crashing over for a superb try which had been instigated by flanker David Wallace's break into Treviso territory.

With the Munster pack dominating the contest, the home side were able to rumble over the Treviso line again in the 29th minute with Donnacha O'Callaghan claiming the try.

Treviso's prospects then suffered a further blow when hooker Alvaro Tejeda was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle.

Tejeda's absence only served to increase Munster resolve and within two minutes the home team had notched their third try with World Cup star O'Connell getting the score.

For the third time, O'Gara failed with the conversion in the swirling conditions but the Irish side led 18-0 at the break.

Treviso finished the half without scrum-half Alessandro Troncon who had to be stretchered off because of a leg injury.

It was quite embarrassing Treviso coach Craig Green

Munster's superiority continued after the break and Anthony Foley notched his 15th Heineken Cup try in the 49th minute with the Treviso tackling non-existent.

Foley's first try, which was converted by O'Gara, ensured Munster's bonus point.

With gaps increasingly appearing in the Treviso defence, Shaun Payne was also to notch Munster's fifth try on 54 minutes.

By this stage, Treviso appeared to be waving the white flag and replacement Jason Holland was on the field less than two minutes when he burst through for another Munster try.

A break by Payne then set up Holland for his second try in 18 minutes and a poor clearance presented Foley with a Christmas present of a touchdown late on.

Munster: Staunton; Kelly, Mullins, Henderson, Payne; Ronan O'Gara, Stringer; Horan, Sheahan, Hayes, O'Connell, O'Callaghan, Williams, capt, Wallace, Foley.
Replacements: McIlwham, Blaney, Keogh, Pusey, Reddan, Holland, Lawler.

Treviso: Mason; Legg, Visentin, Dallan, Canale; Smith, Troncon; Ribbens, Tejeda, Costanzo, Checchinato, Dellape, Garozzo, Palmer, Parisse.
Replacements: Sbaraglini, Di Santo, Montani, Pavanello, Travagli, Eigner, Perziano.

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland).