Munster produced a clinical display to claim a 28-10 bonus-point victory over the Scarlets at a wet and windy Thomond Park.

Inspired by returning international fly-half Joey Carbery the Irish province took a grip of proceedings in the first half to lead 21-3.

Despite having two players sent to the sin-bin either side of half-time and facing the elements in the second period, Scarlets showed plenty of fight after the break, but Munster - who have already booked their place in the Guinness PRO14 final at the end of the month - were able to secure the win with something to spare.

Wing Steff Evans crossed for a late consolation for the Scarlets, but with one match of the regular season remaining - at home to Connacht a week on Monday - there is still work to do to secure Champions Cup qualification.

Scarlets started brightly with scrum-half Dane Blacker scything through the home defence, but the attack broke down with a spilled ball and the rest of the half belonged to Munster.

After laying siege to the visitors’ line, the home side got their reward on 20 minutes when No. 8 Gavin Coombes ploughed over from close range for a try converted by Carbery.

Scarlets responded with a penalty from the boot of Angus O’Brien, but moments later Munster were celebrating their second try after player of the match Carbery sliced open the Scarlets defence before feeding wing Shane Daly for the score.

Referee Sean Gallagher checked with the television match official for potential obstruction in the build-up, but the try stood, with Carbery adding the extras.

With Scarlets continuing to fall foul of Mr Gallagher, they found themselves down to 14 men just before half-time when Aaron Shingler - who had showed up well in his comeback match - was yellow carded for a line-out infringement. The result was a third Munster try through hooker Niall Scannell, who touched down at the back of a relentless driving maul.

Trailing 21-3 at the break, Scarlets needed a positive start to the second period, but it was Munster who maintained their control and after replacement Tevita Ratuva was binned for another offence around the line-out drive, Munster had their bonus-point in the bag thanks to replacement hooker Kevin O’Byrne.

In deteriorating conditions, the match lost its shape in the final quarter, but Scarlets did manage a late score when Steff Evans combined with Sam Lousi out wide for a try converted by O’Brien.

The result leaves the Scarlets waiting on the Benetton v Cardiff and Connacht v Edinburgh games to see what they need ahead of their final PRO14 match of the campaign against Connacht at Parc y Scarlets.