Leinster 14-31 Munster: Visitors get bonus point for URC win in Croke Park derby

In what has been billed as an intriguing debut between Irish fly-half rivals Jack Crawley and Sam Prendergast, it was Byrne, wearing a blue Munster cap, who will please national team coach Andy Farrell the most heading into the New Zealand match in Chicago.

But Crawley certainly played a key role in Munster’s victory. After Kelleher’s early score for Leinster, Crawley’s clever kick across the field to Thacker Abrahams led to a penalty from which Gleeson drove home Munster’s first try.

Crawley, who were without usual full-back partner Craig Casey, then delivered a delightful ball to send Farrell wide under the posts. Faultless from the tee, Crawley also made 18 tackles, contributing to his team’s tough defence.

With Leinster rocked by a strong Munster cold, the visitors extended their advantage when half-half Ethan Coughlan intercepted a pass from opposite number Jamison Gibson Park and ran almost the length of the pitch to score and give his side a 21-4 lead at the break.

Despite the drop in scoring, the second half was an intense battle as a defiant Munster defense – led by Byrne – ensured that sustained spells of Leinster possession yielded no points for the hosts.

Having absorbed a notable amount of Leinster pressure, Munster received a bonus score when Frawley was penalized after Farrell was suspended.

In the last few plays, Munster’s Gavin Coombes was overlooked before Leinster had the final say when Penny was gone.

However, that did not dampen the celebrations of the Munster players inside the famous Gaelic Games stadium as they backed up their victories over Scarlets, Cardiff and Edinburgh with a thrilling defeat of their closest rivals.

While Munster and Leinster play Connacht and Zebre next week, their Irish squad departs for Chicago ahead of the November 1 test against the All Blacks at Soldier Field.