Munster shake cobwebs to win

Munster warmed up for next week's Heineken Cup semi-final against Stade Francais with a 24-22 win over a Rest of Ireland side…

Munster warmed up for next week's Heineken Cup semi-final against Stade Francais with a 24-22 win over a Rest of Ireland side at Thomond Park tonight.

Both sides were out to impress Lions selectors Donal Lenihan and Graham Henry, who travelled to watch the game.

Munster delighted the crowd by taking an eighth-minute lead when Anthony Foley went over for a try which Ronan O'Gara converted.

Six minutes later, Rest of Ireland scrum-half Brian O'Meara found Eric Miller on the left and the number six sped over.

READ MORE

Munster stretched their lead on 25 minutes with an O'Gara penalty, but the visitors drew level with a trademark Brian O'Driscoll try. The centre was released by Shane Horgan well inside his own half and took off down the left wing to cross.

Munster were soon back in front when Jeremy Staunton went over after a good passing move that involved flanker Dion O'Cuinneagain, who flew in from South Africa this morning to help their cause.

O'Gara had a chance to stretch Munster's lead with an injury-time penalty, but he missedthe target for the third time.

He began the second half on the same note, shooting wide from inside the Ireland half. The visitors then capitalised with a try from David Humphreys after 45 minutes but again he failed to convert.

Staunton put Munster back in front with a try four minutes later and this time O'Gara made no mistake with the conversion.

The Rest of Ireland managed to narrow the gap to just two points midway through the second half whenTyrone Howe went over in the corner, with Humphreys converting.

The Rest of Ireland continued pressuring, but Munster held firm for an encouraging win.