Munster number eight CJ Stander made a big statement to Joe Schmidt and his Irish coaching staff in Munster’s Champions Cup opener against Benetton Treviso, as Anthony Foley’s side ran out 32-7 winners at Thomond Park.

Stander was immense for a Munster side that desperately lacked continuity and composure as the Red Army managed to claw their way to a less than convincing win at home. Stander made a big claim for inclusion in Schmidt’s November international squad as the naturalised South African was very positive going forward for the home side, proving to be strong in the carry and great in the point of contact.

The former Junior Springbok continually found a way over the gain line in a typical hard working display on his way to a deserved Man of the Match performance. Stander was Munster’s most consistent ball carrier on a miserable evening in Limerick, which saw the Irish eligible backrower grab his third try of the season after BJ Botha opened the scoring for the hosts in the first-half.

Both players crashed over from close range pick and drives to help build Munster’s lead before substitute James Casey grabbed the host’s third try of the evening 12 minutes from time. Simon Zebo secured the bonus point in the 76th minute after Conor Murray put his Ireland teammate over from close range as a strong second-half was enough to clinch the bonus point win.

Ian Keatley kicked well with the boot in a polished, yet uninspiring performance as the Dubliner helped steer an often shaky ship to their first European win of the season.

Munster stumbled their way through most of the match in a performance that was marred by a litany of handling errors and mistakes, and despite a very poor first-half, they still managed to score four tries and secure a much needed bonus point.

Treviso were more competitive than the scoreline suggests, but after keeping scores close for 55 minutes, the winless Italian club could not keep up with a strong carrying Munster as the Pro12 strugglers slid to their eight consecutive defeat.

The win for Munster means that Foley’s side go to the top of Pool 4 on five points with Leicester, after the Tigers’ 33-20 win over Stade Francais on Friday night.

Jack O’Toole, Pundit Arena

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