However to their credit, Munster countered after Thomas' 76th minute miss to earn themselves the penalty and after a lengthy enough discussion, Hanrahan went for his kick and landed it to earn the bonus.

Munster had the advantage of the elements in the opening half but by their own admission squandered one or two try scoring chances and went into the break on level pegging, three points apiece. They were unfortunate just before the break to have a try ruled out by the TMO and this was to prove decisive.

They also had one or two opportunities in the second half but by this stage there was a strong wing blowing heavy freezing rain into their faces and the visitors held the upper hand for long periods of the half.

Thomas was badly wide from nearly in front of the posts with a penalty in the 42nd minute and shortly after was narrowly wide with a drop goal effort but then edged his side in front in the 66th minute and added the conversion to Fenby's try three minutes later.

Scarlets enjoyed most of the territorial advantage in that final quarter but Munster will regret not getting more out of a superb Felix Jones break from deep inside his own half that took play to a five metre scrum from the Scarlets line. They were once again penalised at the put in allowing Scarlets lift the siege.

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett capt, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, D Williams; W du Preez, M Sherry, S Archer; I Nagle, B Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, N Ronan, P Butler. Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, BJ Botha, D Foley, CJ Stander, P Stringer, JJ Hanrahan, D Hurley.

Scarlets: M Stoddart; N Reynolds, G Maule, G Owen, A Fenby; A Thomas, G Davies; P John, E Phillips, J Adriaanse, J Ball, R Kelly, G Earle, J Edwards capt, C Price. Replacements: K Myhill, S Hopkins, S Lee, J Snyman, D Thomas, R Williams, D Newton, AWarren.