Munster got off to the ideal start with a try from Niall Ronan within two minutes of the kick of after Rua Tipoki dinked through a lovely little kick that caught the Blues defence flat and Ronan gathered to score unopposed. Ronan O'Gara added the conversion but four minutes later Blair landed a penalty from just inside his own half and his next effort gave his side the lead at half time.

 

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, L Mafi, R Tipoki, I Dowling (B Murphy 28 min); R O'Gara, P Stringer; T Buckley, J Flannery, J Hayes; P O'Connell (capt), M O'Driscoll; D Ryan, N Ronan, J Melck. Replacements: D Fogarty, F Pucciariello, J O'Sullivan, A Quinlan, M Prendergast, J Manning,

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; R Mustoe, J Robinson, J Roberts, G Thomas; C Sweeney, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, T Filise; B Davies, P Tito (capt); M Molitika, R Sowden Taylor, A Powell. Replacements: G Powell, T R Thomas, S Morgan, M Lewis, D Allinson, N Robinson, T Shanklin.

Referee: Peter Allan (SRU).