Gloucester 35 Munster 16
Munster got their Heineken Cup campaign off to a disappointing start today as they were soundly beaten by Zurich Premiership pacesetters Gloucester.
Munster, despite boasting an outstanding Heineken Cup pedigree after reaching two of the last three European finals, had no answer to a rampant Gloucester who scored four tries to one, two from flanker Jake Boer and one apiece by wing Marcel Garvey and fly-half Ludovic Mercier.
Peter Stringer's late effort and three penalties and a conversion from Ronan O'Gara will have proved scant consolation and Munster will have left Kingsholm with no complaints having been soundly beaten
Rarely have Munster been so outplayed in European competition, and there is no doubt that Gloucester's scintillating display will send warning signals flashing around Europe. They proved that their Premiership form - five wins and a draw from six start - was no fluke as they pulled away to score 19 unanswered second half points after leading 16-9 at the break.
Seven minutes before the break, Gloucester made the breakthrough with a try that came from nothing. Mercier kicked the ball speculatively out of his own defence, but speed merchant Garvey beat Mossie Lawlor to the punch and kicked ahead and then got to the ball first for a spectacular try that Mercier converted with assistance off the post.
Munster lost Rob Henderson with an ankle injury, but they were still in contention at half time through two further O'Gara penalties to one by Mercier.
The second period was a completely different story though, as Gloucester hammered at the Munster line relentlessly.
After continuing to defend impressively, Munster finally saw their resistance broken when Boer and Mercier crossed the tries during a four-minute spell that put Gloucester out of sight.