Director of Rugby Rassie Eramus’ Munster reign commenced with an opening round victory away to Scarlets today, the first win for the province in Parc y Scarlets since April 2011.

Munster’s defensive effort was the hallmark of the performance with quick line speed and a high tackle count thwarting the home team’s plans.

With the backrow trio of Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell and Jack O’Donoghue putting in a sterling performance, O’Donnell was deservedly singled out for his man of the match performance.

Despite the limited chances in the first half Munster managed to cross on two occasions with James Cronin and Ronan O’Mahony both scoring, while the hosts claimed a try through scrum-half Gareth Davies.

In absorbing the ongoing pressure in the opening twenty, with very little possession, Rassie’s charges reacted through a well taken James Cronin try after the pack muscled their way over on the 20^th minute.

It was Dave Foley’s breaking run that kicked matters off after the Tipperary-lock ran at pace, taking a great angle off James Cronin's pass to bring play within touching distance of the line. A series of big carries advanced the pack further before the TMO was called on to confirm the opening score under the posts.

Tyler Bleyendaal added the simple conversion, however the lead was reduced five minutes later after a Rhys Patchell penalty.

With the defence in good shape another positive aspect of the afternoon was the province’s scrum and it was from the set-piece that Jack O’Donoghue reacted quickest with the tap and go, and charge for the Scarlets defence. From the breakdown winger Ronan O’Mahony spotted the gap and open space to break away for our second try scored on the half-hour mark. Bleyendaal once again added the extras.

The counter-attack saw an individual response from Scarlets with scrumhalf Gareth Davies taking a quick penalty and running in a solo effort from his own half. The margin was reduced to four after Patchell’s conversion.

Bleyendaal had the final say of the half in kicking his first penalty two minutes before the break, giving Munster a seven point lead at half-time.

On the resumption the New Zealand out-half was unable to capitalise further with his first miss of the afternoon, however both out-halves did go on to exchange penalties over the next ten minute period.

Further indiscipline led to a reversed penalty in Munster’s favour, and Ian Keatley delivered the final blow with a long range penalty to extend the lead to ten points after 65 minutes.

In the final minute the home-side were denied a losing bonus point when Patchell was unable to convert his final penalty attempt.

Commenting post-match Erasmus confirmed “it was not a perfect performance but it was certainly a gutsy win with room for improvement, and work to do.”

The South African also confirmed that Zebo retired early with a rib injury, and the Ireland international will be assessed further over the coming days.

PRO12 Round 1 round-up: Fourteen of the starting XV were products of the Munster pathway; Three players made their PRO12 debuts with Jean Kleyn joining academy players Brian Scott and Dan Goggin in making their first appearances, with Goggin included in the starting line-up.

Munster: Simon Zebo (Keatley 17); Darren Sweetnam, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Ronan O'Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal (Bohane 66), Duncan Williams (O’Leary 62); James Cronin (Kilcoyne 55), Niall Scannell (O’Byrne 77), John Ryan (Scott 77); Dave Foley (D Ryan 48), Billy Holland Capt.; Dave O'Callaghan (Kleyn 69), Tommy O'Donnell, Jack O'Donoghue.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Dave Kilcoyne, Brian Scott, Jean Kleyn, Donnacha Ryan, Tomás O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Cian Bohane.