Munster in Front at Half Time in Thomond Park

A try from Alan Quinlan just before the break, converted by Ronan O’Gara has Munster leading Connacht 12-6.

It came at an opportune time as Munster trailed 6-5, having opened with a 6th minute Simon Zebo try but then pegged back when Ian Keatley landed two penalties, the second a massive effort from the half way.

Keatley's first effort after nine minutes struck the upright but Munster will play the second half into the Ballynanty end with a stiff breeze at their backs. 

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, J Murphy, D Barnes, S Zebo; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, M Sherry, J Hayes; D Ryan, P O'Connell (capt); A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, I Nagle, T O'Donnell, P Stringer, P Warwick, D Hurley.
 
Connacht: G Duffy; B Tuohy, E Griffin, M Nikora, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, M McCarthy, B Upton; A Browne, J O'Connor (capt), J Muldoon. Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, D Rogers, D Nolan, M McComish, C Willis, T Nathan, T O'Halloran.
 
Referee: David Wilkinson.