Three outstanding first half tries, two from new boy CJ Stander, all converted by old boy Ronan O’Gara who tacked on a penalty, set the tone for Munster’s 31-3 win over Glasgow Warriors in front of a crowd just shy of 9000 at Thomond Park Stadium.

It was a night to remember for Stander, making his first start in a Munster jersey, who was awarded the Man of the Match gong, but even he would admit he'd have been pushed close for that accolade had the creator of his opening try, Tommy O'Donnell, remained on the pitch for the duration.

The Tipperary man was in pulsating form, racing deep into Warrior territory to set up the opener and then blasting through from 35 metres to score under the posts in the 22nd minute. Unfortunately, he limped out of the game in the 48th minute with an ankle injury to be replaced by another Tipperary man, Paddy Butler, who proved an able deputy.

But Stander was a worthy MOTM winner's and if his first try was down to persistence his second was attributable to pace. He picked up a wayward pass inside his own 22 at the Ballynanty end before setting off on a swerving run that ended with a try in the right hand corner with Simon Zebo on his left shoulder in support. O'Gara struck a superb touchline conversion to push his side into a 24-3 lead to effectively seal the outcome.

However, there was still a load of work for Munster to do against a Warriors side who played throughout with a verve and inventiveness that asked serious questions of Munster's defence on numerous occasions. None more so than in the 16th minute when it required a no-mistake Zebo tackle to deny DTH Van der Merwe in the left hand corner.

Two minutes later, Duncan Weir was wide with a drop goal attempt but as they were to do for Stander's second try, Warriors, when once again pressing inside the Munster 22, coughed up possession and it ended in a try from O'Donnell, set on his way by the impressive James Coughlan.

The sequence for those tries probably summed up the respective fortunes of the sides. Warriors unable to convert possession and position into points; Munster making the most of their opportunities and willing to strike whenever from wherever.

Credit to a Munster defence that was outstanding and to a solid set piece at scrum and line out.

In terms of comparisons, Rob Penney had to well pleased with this night's work from a week prior though weather conditions were so totally different Afterwards he was honest enough to admit that the final scoreline did scant justice to the effort the visitors put in. He was also frank enough in his view that his side have to ratchet it up a fair few notches ahead of the challenge that will be laid down next Saturday at the same venue.

Munster: F Jones Keatley 58 min); D Howlett capt, K Earls, J Downey, S Zebo (Laulala 64 min); R O'Gara, D Williams (Stringer 60 min); D Kilcoyne (du Preez 64 min), M Sherry (Varley 51 min), BJ Botha (Archer 66 min); D O'Callaghan, D Ryan; CJ Stander, T O'Donnell (Butler 48 min), J Coughlan (Holland 74 min).

Glasgow Warriors: P Murchie; S Lamont, S Hogg, P Horne, DTH Van Der Merwe, D Weir, H Pyrgos; R Grant, D Hall, M Cusack; T Swinson, A Kellock (capt); R Harley, J Barclay, R Wilson. Replacements: P MacArthur, G Arazoa, G Reid, J Strauss, J Eddie, N Matawalu, S Wight, B McGuigan.

Referee: I Davies (WRU).