Former Munster player Jeremy Staunton kicked Leicester into a lead after seven minutes before Jones opened the Tigers defence with a break in midfield and then rounded the remaining defenders on the outside for asuperb score. Paul Warwick added the conversion and then retired injured for Andrew Burke to take over at number 10.

Staunton kicked another penalty but Munster dominated the remainder of the half before a breakaway try from Scott Hamilton created by Dan Hipkiss gave the home side a lead they scarcely deserved.

Munster: F Jones, D Barnes, S Deasy, T Gleeson, D Hurley, P Warwick, P Stringer, M Horan, D Fogarty, J Brugnaut, M O'Driscoll capt, D Ryan, B Holland, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, I Nagle, T O'Donnell, T Morland, J Manning, D Ryan, J Coughlan, D Riordan.

Leicester Tigers: S Hamilton; M Smith, D Hipkiss, A Allen, Johne Murphy; J Staunton, B Youngs; M Castrogiovanni, G Chuter, J White; L Deacon capt, B Kay; C Newby, B Woods, J Crane. Replacements: M Davies, M Parr,D Cole, B Deacon, G Parling, H Ellis, M Tuilagi, B Twelvetrees, T Croft, B Pienaar, J Grindal, N Jean-Jean.