Munster suffered their first home defeat in almost two years at Irish Independent Park on Friday night as a strong Edinburgh side claimed the victory in Guinness PRO14 Conference B.

Tommy O’Donnell touched down for Munster as Academy out-half Ben Healy kicked 100% off the tee in an impressive debut but Edinburgh edged the victory. Munster stay top of Conference B after the weekend’s action.

Munster are back at Thomond Park for a huge Champions Cup clash against Saracens. Buy tickets here.

Munster were led out by Stephen Archer to a standing ovation as the prop made his 200th appearance for the province.

Edinburgh showed their intent early on with the first try on three minutes. The TMO awarded the score after centre Matt Scott touched down at the base of a ruck and Jaco van der Walt converted for a 7-0 lead.

Munster had their first chance to attack when Healy kicked into the Edinburgh 22 after the Munster pack won a penalty in the scrum but the lineout was botched and Edinburgh cleared.

The visitors led 10-0 after 20 minutes when a scrum penalty gave van der Walt the opportunity off the tee and he made no mistake.

Rhys Marshall launched the next Munster attack when he picked up a loose ball and offloaded for Sammy Arnold to boot in behind the defence.

Munster piled in at the ruck to win the penalty and Healy kicked for the corner. The lineout went to plan on this occasion and Munster swung the ball left. Edinburgh defended unconventionally as they lifted the post pads on a number of occasions to prevent Munster from grounding off the base of the post.

On the 23rd phase, O’Donnell was able to score and Healy’s well-struck conversion levelled the game. Munster ended the half well but no further scores were coming and the sides were level 10-10 at half-time.

A magnificent Healy penalty moved Munster into the lead two minutes into the second half.

Captain Jack O’Donoghue, who was awarded Man of the Match, then led by example as he somehow got back to stop Pierre Schoeman from scoring with Calvin Nash and Shane Daly helping to prevent the grounding.

Edinburgh still had a five-metre scrum but brilliant Munster defence forced the knock-on.

Healy stepped up to kick his third penalty on 53 minutes to give Munster a 16-10 lead after a high tackle from Schoeman.

A Simon Hickey penalty reduced the Munster advantage to just three points three minutes later after a breakdown infringement.

Edinburgh were back in front after 62 minutes when Blair Kinghorn’s crossfield kick bounced into the path of Eroni Sau for the winger to score and give the visitors an 18-16 lead.

The majority of the final quarter was spent in the Munster half as Edinburgh saw out the game in a professional manner.

Guinness PRO14 Round 7 Round-Up

Jack O’Donoghue was awarded Man of the Match.

Stephen Archer made his 200th Munster appearance in the clash.

Academy out-half Ben Healy made his Munster debut and Acdemy prop Keynan Knox also featured off the bench.

Jed Holloway made his final appearance and returns to the Waratahs.

Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Sammy Arnold (Rory Scannell, 61), Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton; Ben Healy (JJ Hanrahan, 61), Nick McCarthy (Neil Cronin, 71); Liam O’Connor (James Cronin, 64), Rhys Marshall (Kevin O’Byrne, 68), Stephen Archer (Keynan Knox, 64); Fineen Wycherley, Darren O’Shea (Jed Holloway, 61); Jack O’Donoghue (C) Tommy O’Donnell (Conor Oliver, 65), Arno Botha.

Next Home Game

Saturday, December 7

CHAMPIONS CUP: Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here