Munster hit the ground running

Munster 28 Gloucester 17: Munster used 33 players en route to an entertaining victory in their pre-season friendly against the English club, who they'll face in this season's Heineken Cup.

The home side scored four tries including one for debutant Andrew Conwaybut conceded three iuncluding the opening one of the game to former All Black Jimmy Cowan.

Ian Keatley's accurate cross-kick enabled Conway to score Denis Hurley, CJ Stander and JJ Hanrahan were the other players to cross the Gloucester line. Munster coach Rob Penney took the opportunity to have a look at the strength in depth of his squad.

Steph Reynolds and Koree Britton scored Gloucester's other tries. Once the game settled into a rhythm, Casey Laulala was prominent in the centre oinitiating a number of breaks.

Munster's second try of the half came off a well worked move from the lineout with Duncan Williams popping the ball to Ivan Dineen. His line break allowed Laulala to put Hurley over. Ian Keatley added his second conversion to give the home side a 14-5 lead.

Gloucester reduced the margin with Reynolds trys early in the second half before replacement outhalf Hanrahan finished off an attacking phase with a try under the posts, making it easy for his own conversion.

Stander added Munster’s fourth and final try and he was one of a number of bodies diving over the line with the pack applying the pressure. The visitors finished with a converted Koree Britton.