Although top-of-the-table Munster started with nine of the side that ran the All Blacks so close, there was little prospect of rekindling that Thomond Park fire in Friday night's narrow Magners League victory over the Scarlets at Parc Y Scarlets.


In the end, Munster had to withstand a Scarlets' fightback before Ronan O'Gara's late penalty sealed an 18-16 win.


Meanwhile, it was all much too easy for Ulster, whose comfortable 53-13 success at Ravenhill left Connacht, who haven't won in Belfast since 1960, anchored at the bottom of the table.