Munster got their SEAT Series off to a winning start at a damp Thomond Park today with a 28-17 victory over Gloucester.
With 33 different players getting a run out it was an impressive performance from the home team facing a strong Gloucester side, which included English internationals, Mike Tindall and James Simpson-Daniel.
The game got off to a patchy start, with the weather conditions leading to a number of handling errors from both sides.
Munster had the best of the opening exchanges with Johne Murphy crossing for a try on 7 minutes only to see it disallowed for a forward pass.
Once the game settled into a rhythm, Casey Laulala began to pull the strings in the centre of the field creating a number of breaks, the best of which fell to Andrew Conway who scored a try on his debut.
This was in response to Gloucester's opening try taken by Jimmy Cowan after 17 minutes.
Munster's second try of the half came off a well worked move from the lineout with Williams popping to Dineen breaking through the centre finding Laulala on his shoulder who created a wide pass out to Denis Hurley leaving him dive over the line.
Keatley added his second conversion to give a half-time score of 14-5.
Gloucester reduced the margin with a Steph Reynold trys early in the second half before replacement outhalf JJ Hanrahan finished off an attacking phase with a try under the posts making it easy for his own conversion.
CJ Stander added Munster's fourth and final try and he was one of a number of bodies diving over the line with the pack applying the pressure.
With a raft of changes and a completely different side to the starting XV Munster's younger stars and club players impressed for the closing stages.
The visitors finished with a converted Koree Britton try to give a final score of 28-17 to Munster.
Munster: Denis Hurley (Mike Kelleher 60); Andrew Conway (R O'Mahony 25), Casey Laulala (Cian Bohane H/T), Ivan Dineen (Niall Kenneally 62), Johne Murphy (Johnny Holland 54); Ian Keatley (JJ Hanrahan H/T), Duncan Williams (Cathal Sheridan H/T); James Cronin (Stephen Archer 60), Mike Sherry (Duncan Casey H/T (Niall Scannell 60)), John Ryan (Paddy Ryan H/T (Alan Cotter 60)); Donncha O’Callaghan (Ian Nagle H/T), Billy Holland (Dave Foley H/T); CJ Stander (Shane Buckley H/T (Danny Kenny 65)), Niall Ronan (Barry O'Mahony 54), James Coughlan (CJ Stander 48 (Willie Ryan 65)).
Referee: Alain Rolland
