Munster suffered a Round 2 defeat to Dragons RFC in the BKT URC at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Stephen Archer and Ben Healy scored Munster’s tries with Healy adding two conversions and a penalty for the province to lead 17-15 at the interval.

A late Rio Dyer try put the home side back in front and with former Munster-man JJ Hanrahan adding the final points of the game the Welsh side claimed victory.

Munster were on the scoreboard early thanks to a Ben Healy penalty in the opening minutes but an unsettled performance followed allowing Dragons to take advantage and fully impose themselves on the game. A composed performance from the hosts saw them move ahead 15-3 with five penalties from the boot of Hanrahan.

The province did manage to close out the half with a flourish with two converted tries scored in five minutes.

The first score started with a break by Ben Healy, before Simon Zebo was high tackled, and with Craig Casey taking the quick-tap penalty Munster went through the phases before Archer forced his way over to score.

Healy added the extras, and the Dragons were reduced to 14 men with a yellow card issued to Rio Dyer for the challenge on Zebo.

Munster took full advantage when back in the opposition 22 to set up a maul and work their way towards the try line. Craig Casey made a sniping break down the blindside with Healy finishing the try off in the corner.

The out-half converted his own try to send Munster into the half time break with the lead.

While the performance did improve after the break errors remained and the men in red were unable to add to their tally.

As the battle continued into the final quarter the scoreboard was unchanged until winger Rio Dyer broke through to dart his way over and score in the corner on the 71st minute.

Although JJ missed the conversion he sealed the victory with a final penalty in the last play of the game.

URC Round 2 Round-Up

Greencore Academy lock Edwin Edogbo made their Munster debuts.

There was a positional switch before kick-off with Malakai Fekitoa moving to 12 and Dan Goggin to 13.

Keith Earls was removed with an injury while Jean Kleyn was removed for a HIA.

Munster: Mike Haley, Keith Earls (Liam Coombes, 13), Malakai Fekitoa, Dan Goggin, Simon Zebo, Ben Healy (Joey Carbery, 58), Craig Casey (Paddy Patterson, 60); Dave Kilcoyne (Liam O’Connor, 58), Niall Scannell (Scott Buckley, 66), Stephen Archer (Keynan Knox, 58), Jean Kleyn (Tadhg Beirne, 13), Fineen Wycherley (Edwin Edogbo, 58), Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony (c), Jack O’Sullivan.