Munster took the lead when Paul Warwick thumped over a 15th minute penalty from the half way line in the 15th minute and he added a second, after Tuilagi had scored his first try, this time from the 22 metre line, in the 35th minute to give his side the lead that they held until injury time of an entertaining first half.

A block down by Denis Leamy resulted in Munster taking the lead when the skipper won the race for the touch down and Warwick added the extras.

That score however led to a bout of sustained effort from the near full strength visitors and they went back into the lead when Tuilagi boshed his way over for his second try, Flood again landing the conversion.

Coach Tony McGahan rang the changes introducing his youngsters from the bench and that led to an exciting finish as Munster took the fight to Tigers who were forced to defend a late five metre lineout to secure their victory.