Munster moved up to third place in the Guinness PRO12 table tonight after recording a 38-12 bonus-point victory against Newport Gwent Dragons in Rodney Parade.
In the first half Dragons racked up the points after sustained pressure and lengthy periods in Munster territory.
Indiscipline gave the home-side 4 kickable penalty chances – the first Geraint Rhys Jones penalty rebounded off the posts but three successful kicks followed giving the Dragons a 9-7 lead at half-time.
Munster’s score came off a well worked set-piece, when a controlled lineout and maul option ended with Robin Copeland touching down for the first try of the game.
In the second half improved ball retention and game-control allowed Munster to create the scoring opportunities with Duncan Casey, Andrew Smith, Paddy Butler and Ronan O’Mahony all crossing the whitewash.
Casey was a late addition to the starting XV after Eusebio Guinazu was withdrawn due to a tight hamstring. Niall Scannell was included in the replacements.
Man-of-the-match Ian Keatley opened the second half with a well taken penalty from 41 metres, regaining the lead for Munster.
The province then used their superior scrum and improved lineout to secure possession and when Cathal Sheridan blocked down a clearing Dragons’ kick Duncan Casey scored off the next 5 metre lineout maul.
Andrew Smith ran in unopposed for the third try after Keatley released fullback JJ Hanrahan who stepped outside his man to pop the ball back inside to Smith and open space.
Rhys Jones added a fourth penalty for Dragons after 66 minutes but minutes later Paddy Butler completed an attacking forward move by scoring the all-important bonus point try.
Munster continued to apply the pressure for the final minutes and Ronan O'Mahony did well when he claimed JJ Hanrahan’s grubber kick to dive over in the corner for the fifth try.
Keatley made it six from six with the touchline conversion.
Munster: JJ Hanrahan; Andrew Conway (Johne Murphy 39), Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley (Pat Howard 75), Ronan O'Mahony; Ian Keatley, Cathal Sheridan (Duncan Williams 57); John Ryan (Alan Cotter 75), Duncan Casey (Niall Scannell 75), Stephen Archer (BJ Botha 75); Donncha O'Callaghan Capt. (Dave O'Callaghan 75), Billy Holland; Paddy Butler, Sean Dougall (CJ Stander 57), Robin Copeland.
Replacements: Duncan Casey, Alan Cotter, BJ Botha, Dave O'Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, Pat Howard, Johne Murphy.