Munster eased through to the top of Pool B with a comfortable win over Welsh minnows Caerphilly at Virginia Park last evening and now look certain to earn an all-important home draw in the quarter-finals in December.

Munster welcomed back Australian lock John Langford for his first game with the Province since returning from Australia only two weeks ago. The line-out ace proved the rock when Munster, with a starting 15 that looked very much like their second string, struggled in the opening exchanges against a spirited Caerphilly side.

Wing Ken Morris crossed for an early try for the Welshmen to give his side an early lead before Jeremy Staunton landed the first of three penalties to keep Munster in the game.

Caerphilly outhalf Stewart Lawrence then landed a first penalty to keep his side ahead before Munster got their act together and took the lead with tries by lock Donnacha O'Callaghan, and wing John Kelly, with Staunton adding one conversion and a second penalty.

Caerphilly replied with a second Morris try before centre Mike Mullins crossed for the first of his four tries just before the break to give Munster a comfortable 30-15 lead at half-time.

After the break it was one way traffic with Staunton adding a second penalty, and prop Marcus Horan and former Wallabies star Jim Williams both crossing for a try each before Mullins put the game to bed with two quick tries in dying moments while Staunton, who ended the game with a personal haul of 21 points with the boot, slotted over his sixth conversion to give Munster an easy victory.