Newport Gwent Dragons 8 Munster 24
Munster kept alive their faint hopes of winning the Celtic League title with a convincing victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade tonight.
It was the Dragons' second home defeat of the season and came after a stunning second-half display from the Irish province, who scored three tries after the interval.
Munster needed to win to keep the pressure on the Neath Swansea Ospreys at the top of the Celtic League but the Ospreys will still clinch the crown if they beat Edinburgh at The Gnoll tomorrow.
Newport have been ravaged by injury recently and Gareth Chapman came in on the wing for Gareth Wyatt while Percy Montgomery played in the centre in place of Nathan Brew, who sustained an ankle injury in the Dragons' 32-0 drubbing by the Ospreys last week.
One major blow for Munster was the first-half departure from the field of ace fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who will require some urgent treatment and a scan after taking a crunching tackle. He is in danger of missing his side's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Biarritz next week.
Penalties were exchanged in a lacklustre first half, with O'Gara sending Munster into the lead with a 42-metre kick after eight minutes and Ceri Sweeney levelling matters on the stroke of half-time before the game burst into life on the resumption.
Munster dominated possession and territory in the second period and it was no surprise when blindside flanker Alan Quinlan burst over for a touchdown after 57 minutes and just four minutes later wing John Kelly took advantage of a defensive blunder by the Dragons to cross unopposed.
Shaun Payne scored Munster's third and final try eight minutes from time. All three touchdowns were converted by Paul Burke who came on as substitute for O'Gara.
All the Dragons could show for their efforts in the second half was a try by Wales full-back Kevin Morgan who took a stunning pass from Sione Tuipolotu and crashed over.
Munster wing Kelly was undoubtedly man of the match for his major contribution to so many enterprising moves by the visitors and for his defensive qualities as well.