Leading by just three points after replacement Stephen Jones had kicked a 67th minute penalty, the home side were then handed an ideal attacking platform when Jones launched a massive penalty from half-way to find touch five metres from the Munster line.

There followed a series of frenzied drives for the Munster line that were only resisted because players were prepared to put exhausted bodies once more on the line. And it ended nearly ten minutes later when Munster won the put in for the pack to win a penalty that Ronan O'Gara boomed down to half way.

Even then the danger wasn't over because Scarlets regained possession but this time Munster were defending on the Scarlets 22 and eventually a knock-on signaled the end of this particular installment that was never less than compelling.

It started well for the home side who capitalised when Will Chambers pass went to Simon Zebo's feet, Liam Willams hacked ahead and Adam Shingler gathered to score with less than ten minutes played. Rhys Priestland, who minutes earlier had missed a kickable penalty, saw his conversion attempt come back off the right upright and Munster were indeed fortunate to be just eight points down.

Their early play had been littered with impatience and coughed up ball but by the start of the second quarter they began to ease their way into the game thanks to strong carries from skipper Paul O'Connell, Damien Varley and James Coughlan and the steady hand of O'Gara.

Their first bit of invention was inspired by the out-half winning his 100th Heineken Cup cap, when his first deft chip ahead was gathered by Simon Zebo - winning his first Heineken Cup cap - who went racing into Scarlets territory. When the ball was re-cycled another clever O'Gara kick had Scarlets scrambling back to gather with Lifeimi Mafi winning a five metre scrum when he nailed Priestland behind the goal-line.

From the resultant scrum Munster forced the penalty and O'Gara opened their account.

There was better to come four minutes later when Denis Hurley and Johne Murphy all played their part to send Niall Ronan stepping for the line, Hurley with a sublime one-handed off load and Murphy stepping inside to allow space for Ronan up along the touchline.

Another penalty just before half-time sent Munster in at the break three points up but Priestland made it all square nine minutes into the second half.

O'Gara was on the mark in the 54th and 61st minutes to push his side six clear while Jones was waiting to enter the fray when Priestland dragged another penalty left and wide in the 67th minute.

With eleven minutes to go Jones kicked the penalty to leave it a three point game and then the large Munster attendance had to endure that Scarlets assault before the siege was lifted by a magnificent pack and O'Gara's right boot.

Scarlets: D Newton (S Jones 57); L Williams (V Iongi 76), S Williams, J Davies, S Lamont; R Priestland, G Davies (T Knoyle); I Thomas (K Owens 62) M Rees (P John 62), R Thomas (D Manu 75); S Timani (K Murphy 62), D Welch; A Shingler (J Edwards 45), R McCusker, B Morgan.

Munster: D Hurley; J Murphy, W Chambers (D Barnes 55 mins), L Mafi, S Zebo; R O'Gara, C Murray (T O'Leary 62 mins); W du Preez (M Horan 75 mins) , D Varley, BJ Botha (J Hayes 76 mins); D Ryan (D O'Callaghan 55 mins), P O'Connell; P O'Mahony (D Leamy h-t), N Ronan, J Coughlan.

Referee: R Poite (France)