Leinster edged an uncompromising battle to beat Munster 13-8 at Thomond Park. Flanker Josh van der Flier put the visitors ahead after six minutes by peeling off a maul and Harry Byrne added the conversion. The contest turned into a real arm wrestle and it was almost another 50 minutes before Byrne put more points on the scoreboard with a penalty. Jack Crowley’s kick instantly cut the deficit to seven points again, but another Byrne penalty – after Tom Farrell had been caught offside – gave Leinster breathing space. Replacement Dan Kelly’s try 10 minutes from time set up a grandstand finish that the away side just about survived to avenge their October defeat to their great rivals. PA Sport Staff