Munster were beaten by Glasgow Warriors in difficult conditions at Scotstoun on Friday night, claiming a losing bonus-point.

Jean Kleyn was the Munster try-scorer with Ben Healy kicking two penalties as Glasgow edged a tight battle.

Glasgow led 10-3 at the interval thanks to a Scott Cummings charge-down try on the stroke of half-time. Munster were improved after the break but just couldn’t push home their advantage with Glasgow deserving the victory.

Another late comeback looked possible when Kleyn crossed on 72 minutes but Jack Crowley was unable to add the tricky conversion and Glasgow held on.

Munster started well with the returning Chris Cloete winning an early trademark turnover penalty. Neil Cronin then made good ground when sniping down the blindside but Glasgow defended well and were competing strongly at the breakdown to prevent any Munster momentum.

Duncan Weir’s 15th-minute penalty gave Glasgow the lead following a Simon Zebo high tackle.

A big carry from Gavin Coombes off the base of a scrum gave Munster another great attacking platform but Glasgow again defended well.

Good hands from Stephen Archer, Be Healy and Diarmuid Barron released Rory Scannell through the middle however and a Glasgow offside allowed Healy to kick his first penalty to level the score on 37 minutes.

Glasgow had the final say of the half however as Cummings blocked Cronin’s attempted clearance and did well to dot down. Weir’s conversion made it 10-3.

Cronin was strong over the ball to win a penalty early in the second half with Munster keeping Glasgow pinned back through chips in behind from Healy and Haley.

Munster were winning the kicking battle and went to the corner on 50 minutes after a high tackle on Healy  but Glasgow stole the ball in the maul and the opportunity was gone.

Glasgow hooker Fraser Brown was sin-binned on 56 minutes for cynically knocking the ball out of Cronin’s hands as he shifted the ball from the ruck.

Healy took on the long-range kick but it went just wide.

The hosts then made it 13-3 on the hour thanks to Weir’s second penalty after Munster were pinged at the breakdown.

Trailing by 10 going into the final quarter, Munster finally started to gain momentum and Healy kicked his second penalty on 63 minutes after a scrum penalty.

Munster upped the tempo with Chris Farrell carrying with real intent as the replacements came on and made a real impact.

Academy scrum-half Paddy Patterson made a rapid break through the middle before teeing up Jean Kleyn for the first Munster try on 72 minutes.

Crowley was unable to add the conversion and Glasgow led 13-11 with seven minutes to go.

A superb steal from John Hodnett won back possession but Munster were pinged for offside in the aftermath following a Crowley chip in behind Glasgow’s midfield defence.

Josh Wycherley did well to gather the overthrown Glasgow lineout and Munster worked their way up the field but Glasgow won the penalty at the breakdown to hang on for the victory.

United Rugby Championship Round 9 Round-Up

Two Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players featured – Alex Kendellen and Paddy Patterson.

Simon Zebo earned his 150th Munster cap.

Munster: Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Ben Healy (Jack Crowley, 67), Neil Cronin (Paddy Patterson, 67); Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley, 54), Diarmuid Barron (Kevin O’Byrne, 67), Stephen Archer (John Ryan, 60); Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Chris Cloete (John Hodnett, 54), Gavin Coombes (Alex Kendellen, 67).