The Men of Gwent scored four tries and went away with a bonus point, but this wasn’t enough to take the win as Munster ran away with eight tries.
The match was try filled and both sides put on a show for the large crowd that gathered to watch at the Irish Independent Park.
The match began quickly with a penalty kick from Jason Tovey after just a minute played. But three tries were to follow in very quick succession after these first 3 points.
First up was Munster as Andrew Smith crossed the try line and converted. Just three minutes later the next try was scored. This time it was the Dragons and late replacement wing Ashton Hewitt; converted by Jason Tovey. But unfortunately for the Welsh Region this lead wouldn’t last as CJ Stander crossed with a converted try after just 9 minutes on the clock.
The hard-hitting Munster squad put pressure on the Dragons defence once again as they found space and it was Conor Murray who darted over the white wash. Keatley made no mistake once again and they were firmly in the lead.
With three tries on the score-board Munster were hungry for their fourth and when Hugh Gustafson was yellow carded for coming into a driving lineout from the side, they made the most of it and Murray crossed for his second try; Keatley converting 4 from 4.
The home side weren’t finished their though as Paul O’Connell came from the back of a driving line-out and diving over the line for the fifth try of the match.
Half Time: Munster 33 - Dragons 10
The Dragons attacked the Munster defence and finally centre Tyler Morgan made it over the white wash and Tovey converting.
But once again Munster weren’t happy as they replied with their own try, even though they were down to 14 men after Paddy Butlers yellow card.
With just 5 minutes to go on the clock replacement hooker Rhys Buckley powered over the line from a five metre lineout. Yet Munster did it again and crossed for their own try, but centre Jack Dixon had the final say as he steamed over on the whistle.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team:
Jason Tovey, Tom Prydie, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Dorian Jones, Jonathan Evans; Boris Stankovich, Hugh Gustafson, Brok Harris, Cory Hill, Rynard Landman (c), Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.
Munster Team:
Felix Jones, Keith Earls, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley ©, Ronan O'Mahony, Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha, Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Paddy Butler, CJ Stander.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
Attendance: 8,200
Man of the Match: Conor Murray (Munster)
