"We should have waited for the Italian (referee)", muttered one disgruntled frozen Munster supporter as he trudged disconsolately from Rodney Parade after watching his side lose 20-6 to Newport Gwent Dragons.

The reference was to the performance of stand-in referee David Bodily who stepped in when Alan Falzone failed to beat the traffic snar-up en route to Newport. Welshman Bodilly make some strange decisions but neither pack leader James Coughlan nor coach Tony McGahan would entertain any criticism of the official.

"Firstly I'd have to give credit to them (Dragons)," said McGahan," for their work at the breakdown which I thought was excellent. They kicked very well, used their possession and took their chances. Hats off to them, we can't have any quibble or offer any excuses."

Munster conceded six penalties in the opening quarter and Jason Tovey missed three attempts at goal before he converted Tom Riley's 22nd minute try. That came off a Dragons lineout after they'd gone for touch from the penalty that saw Sam Tuitupou's yellow card. It was a harsh decision demanded by the assistant referee after Bodilly had adjudged that the penalty was sufficient for Tuitupou's late hit on Tovey.

Replays suggested that Bodilly's initial reaction was correct but even to the naked eye in real time Tuitupou's collision with the out-half was accidental.

Munster went further behind – after Tomas O'Leary had prevented a certain try by holding up a Dragon as he attempted to ground for a try – when Gavin Thomas scored from a close in forward drive.

Paul Warwick missed a subsequent long range penalty but kicked an easier one moments later but Tovey was again on the mark in injury time to send the Dragons in with a commanding 14 point lead.

McGahan sent on Wian du Preez and Peter Borlase for the second half and there was a marked improvement in their that permeated throughout the side. They upped the pace considerably and created chances, none clearer than when Barry Murphy made good headway up the left touchline, kicked ahead and was desperately unlucky not to score.

Warwick kicked a 46th minute penalty and five minutes later Dragons were reduced to 14 when hooker and captain Tom Willis was yellow carded. From that penalty Warwick found touch five metres out but that opportunity went a-begging when the match referee awarded a penalty against Munster for apparently delaying their (own try scoring opportunity) line-out.

However, on a rare foray into Munster territory Tovey dropped a superb goal to heap further pressure on Munster and though they peppered the Dragons line in the closing stages in search of a losing bonus they were denied by a committed Dragons defence.

Munster: S Deasy; D Howlett (capt), B Murphy, S Tuitupou (T Gleeson 72), D Hurley (L Mafi 56); P Warwick, T OLeary (C Murray 75); D Ryan (W du Preez 41), M Sherry (S Henry 62), J Hayes (P Borlase 41); B Holland, I Nagle (B Hayes 75) ; T ODonnell (P OMahony 55), N Ronan, J Coughlan.

Dragons: P Leach; A Hughes, T Riley, A Smith, A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans; P Price, T Willis (L Burns 74), N Hall; L Charteris, R Sidoli (A Jones 61); L Evans (L Burns 53-63), G Thomas, T Faletau.

Referee: David Bodilly (WRU)