Perhaps more satisfying than the final scoreline, from a Munster point of view, was the controlled performance the side gave against a physically bigger English outfit. The home side tried to impose themselves in the opening half but just could not break down a well organized Munster defence. They fell behind to a 24th minute try from Brendan O Connor which Peter O Brien converted and although Bath reduced the deficit with a penalty they cannot have anticipated what lay in store for them in the second half.

Out-half Tomas O Leary set out the Munster stall with a try just after four minutes of the restart and from then on Bath struggled to live with the pace set by the Stephen Keogh led side. Shane O Neill scored Munster s third try minutes later before Bath snatched one back. Munster quickly reestablished their line-out dominance and with Keogh leading from the front ably assisted by Jody Danagher, O Neill and Frank Cogan, Bath were always on the hind foot. Keogh scored try number four in the 72nd minute, replacement Richard Lane added his name to the try scoresheet seven minutes later and O Leary capped a fine performance with his second try of the afternoon in injury time.

Scorers

Tries - T O Leary (2), B O Connor, S O Neill, S Keogh, R Lane.

Cons - P O Brien (5).

Bath 8 Munster 40, played at Keynsham RFC, Bath, England.

P O Brien ((UCC), B Touhy (UL Bhs), B Murphy (UL Bohs), K Matthews (UL Bohs), A Crowley (Cork Con); T O Leary (-), B O Brien (Garryowen); E McGovern (Old Crescent), D Fogarty (-), J Danagher (UL Bohs); J McCarthy (Clonakilty), S O Neill (Young Munster); F Cogan (Cork Con), B O Connor (-), S Keogh capt (UCC). Replacements: E Nihill (Garryowen) for McCarthy. R Lane (UCC) for Touhy. G Noonan (Shannon) for Cogan. R O Connor (Bruff) for Fogarty. V Soden (Cork Con) for McGovern. K O Mahoney for O Brien. B Beggs for O Mahoney.