In the end they lost 15-13 but ended up the stronger side and would not have been flattered to win the game. They trailed 5-3 at the interval, Barry Keeshan their penalty scorer. London Irish poured on the pressure at the start of the second half and raced into a commanding 15-3 lead.

However, Munster refused to buckle and a try from Cathal Garvey - a replacement for Keeshan - sparked a revival. Munster enjoyed the better of the closing stages and full-back Richard Lane ended a sparkling phase of play to score in the right hand corner and leave the home side clinging desperately to their slim advantage.

Munster scorers

Barry Keeshan penalty; Cathal Garvey try; Richard Lane try.

Eugene McGovern

Rory O Connor

Jody Danagher

John McCarthy

Shane O Neill

Gareth Noonan

Eoin Nihill

Stephen Keogh

Fiach O Loughlin

Barry Keeshan

Breffni O Donnell

Keith Matthews

Alister Crowley

Colin Murphy

Peter O Brien

Replacements - Cathal Garvey & Richard Lane