Munster have not lost an opening round of European action since the ²⁰¹³⁄₁₄ season, and are looking to improve on their semi-final showings in each of the last three seasons.

In a tough group that includes Racing 92 and Sarries, they needed all five points and when they got it you could see how much it meant.

Garry’s got it, Ronan reigns

Garry Ringrose had never before crossed for a hat-trick in his senior career.

But on the same weekend that his brother ran in a treble for UCD, the Ireland centre was unstoppable against Benetton.

The No.13 grabbed a first-half double, the first on a Johnny Sexton pop and the second a mad drive and stretch for the line.

He also produced linebreaks at will, and then late on got his hat-trick score with another shimmy and dive.

In between Ringrose’s second and third, it was a young gun Ronan Kelleher going over again.

The hooker is the top scorer in the Guinness PRO14 so far this season and now has a European try to add to his tally on his first start in this competition.

Leinster are blending young and old with their World Cup stars returning and Leo Cullen must like what he sees.

Conor calls the shots

Conor Fitzgerald had caught the eye early on this year in the Guinness PRo14, deputising ably for Jack Carty at No.10 in Galway.

But European rugby is a pressure cooker, and it wasn’t clear how he would cope with the game on the line in the final quarter against Montpellier on Sunday.

We needn’t have worried. The youngster passed his audition with flying colours, holding his nerve to slot a late penalty that won the game.

Considering Caolin Blade was man of the match and a pest all afternoon as well, Andy Farrell has a wealth of half-back options on a weekend when Conor Murray and Sexton also returned in style.