The weather failed to deter either team, however, as both looked to attack from the outset, resulting in a frenetic display of running rugby, with neither Gloucester nor Munster managing to stamp their authority as the ball changed hands frequently.

Gloucester looked the more dangerous of the two sides as the Munster defence battled to keep tabs on the likes of powerhouse Paul and wingers, England international James Simpson-Daniel, and former Under-21 star Marcel Garvey.

Paul opened the scoring with a penalty early on, but he pushed a second attempt wide as Gloucester failed to capitalise on their early advantage.

Munster fly-half Ronan O'Gara drew the team's level with a penalty of his own as the visitors began to assert some authority on the game.

The hosts, however, continued to dominate for the remainder of the half, but failed to take control of the game as the Munster defence, although often stretched, managed to hold firm for the teams to go into the break level on 3-3.

Munster came out firing at the restart and were rewarded with a penalty on the line for their efforts. O'Gara duly converted to put the visitors into the lead for the first time in the match.

The lead was to be shortlived, however, as Gloucester hit back almost immediately with a try by Simpson-Daniel. Paul was again involved in the movement as he chipped through the gap superbly for the winger to collect the ball on the line.

For good measure, Paul stretched the lead with a difficult conversion from the corner.

Munster soon began to fall off the pace as Paul stretched the lead further with two more penalties, but the Irish powerhouse managed to regather some momentum and a quick tap on the line resulted in a try for winger Anthony Horgan. O'Gara failed to claim the bonus point, pushing the conversion attempt wide.

Gloucester put the game out of reach shortly afterwards as Paul again slotted the ball through the middle of the posts - this time through a drop-goal - and emerged worthy winners in a game

Final Score: Gloucester 22 Munster 11

Munster Tries: Horgan 72 min. Penalties: O'Gara (2) 11 min, 45 min.

Gloucester Tries: Simpson-Daniel 47 min. Conversions: Paul 47 min. Penalties: Paul (4) 3 min, 58 min, 62 min, 70 min. Drop Goal: Paul 75 min.

Munster Team: Shaun Payne; John Kelly, Mike Mullins, Rob Henderson, Anthony Horgan; Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer; Marcus Horan, Frank Sheahan, John Hayes; Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell; Jim Williams capt, David Wallace, Anthony Foley.

Replacements: James Blaney, Gordon McIlwham, David Pusey, Stephen Keogh, Eoin Reddan, Jeremy Staunton, Jason Holland.

Gloucester : Jon Goodridge, Marcel Garvey, Terry Fanolua, Henry Paul, James Simpson-Daniel, Duncan McRae, Andy Gomarsall, Trevor Woodman, Chris Collins, Andy Deacon, Alex Brown, Mark Cornwell, Jake Boer (c), Peter Buxton, Junior Paramore.

Replacements: Rob Elloway (hooker), Paul Johnstone (prop), Rodrigo Roncero (prop), Adam Eustace (lock), James Merriman (back-row), Alex Page (scrum-half), Robert Todd (centre/wing).

Attendance: 11,000 Match Points: Gloucester 4 pts; Munster 0 pts