Munster got their European campaign off to an excellent start after securing a bonus-point 33-7 win over Stade Francais at Thomond Park.

Stade Francais made an early break but some good defence from Munster saw the ball turned over. A few minutes later, a break from Thaakir Abrahams brought play deep into the Stade 22 and from a penalty advantage, Munster opted to kick to the corner. However, the Parisian side stopped Munster’s maul dead and won the scrum turnover.

Munster wouldn’t be denied on their next entry. A Jack Crowley 50:22 got Munster into prime position, where, from a lineout maul, Craig Casey went down the blindside before passing to Abrahams who crossed in the corner. Crowley’s touchline conversion sailed through the posts to give Munster a 7-0 lead.

Midway through the first half, Stade started to dominate possession and territory. During this period, Alex Nankivell received a yellow card for a high tackle.

Despite this, Munster went further ahead. A Casey box-kick was superbly plucked out of the air from Abrahams and from this, the ball was spread wide to Daly, who on his 100th appearance for Munster, produced a moment of magic.

The Cork man chipped the ball over the Stade defence before hitting the bouncing ball on the volley to touch down for Munster’s second try. Crowley’s conversion ensured a 14-0 lead.

Munster came close to scoring a third try at the end of the first half with the home side opting for a tap and go 5m out rather than a shot at the posts but unfortunately, after a number of phases, the ball went forward and referee Luke Pearce signalled for half-time.

A superb lineout steal from Peter O’Mahony set up a lovely passage of play between the Cork man and Abrahams with Munster almost getting over for a try but the visitors won the turnover. However, in the build-up, O’Mahony received a strike to the head from Stade second-row Azagho which resulted in a red card.

From the penalty, Munster kicked to the corner and the lineout maul rumbled on which saw Alex Kendellen power over for a try.

The visitors saw red again from the kick-off when their other second-row, Pesenti, left the field of play when he lifted Craig Casey upside down in a very dangerous tackle attempt.

From the resulting penalty, Munster went up the field and spread the ball wide to Tom Farrell who crossed for his first European try for Munster to secure the bonus-point.

Munster went asleep at a lineout on the 58-minute mark when Stade Francais went down the blindside from this set-piece to score in the corner.

Entering the last 20 minutes, Munster had a 28-7 lead but were guilty of making mistakes to hand possession back to the visitors.

However, with the clock approaching 80 minutes, Munster got their fifth try after creating a big overlap which resulted with Gavin Coombes crossing in the corner.

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Thaakir Abrahams was awarded the Player of the Match.

Munster now travel to France to take on Castres next Friday.

Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash (Burns 12′ HIA), Tom Farrell (Burns 69′), Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Patterson 60′); Dian Bleuler (Ryan 69′), Diarmuid Barron (C (Scannell 52′)), John Ryan (Archer 56′); Evan O’Connell (Beirne 51′), Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Jack O’Donoghue.