Honours were even in the two encounters between the two sides last season, with each team winning its respective home encounter, whilst the Dragons’ in this RaboDirect PRO12 game will be hoping to add to their only previous win on Munster soil: 16-6 at Thomond Park on 12 March 2004.

Reigning champions Munster finished last season with ten successive victories, but have begun the season at home just three times before and been victorious each time. The Munstermen’s most recent home defeat in the tournament came on 24 April 2010 to Ospreys at Thomond Park.

Newport Gwent Dragons have won their opening fixture in four of the last six seasons, but lost two of their final three matches last season. The Dragons have lost their last four games against Irish provinces.

Referee: Stefano Penne (FIR, 4th competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

Live on TG4 and S4/C