The Dragons brought European champions Munster’s six-match unbeaten run to a halt at Rodney Parade. In doing so the Welsh side extended their own undefeated home run to six matches.

But the home side had to come from a half-time deficit to do so. Ponderous Dragons attacking and suffocating Munster defence ensured that the first half was far from being the ideal spectacle.

The under-strength Irishmen had two-try Lifeimi Mafi to thank for their lead at the break. In only the eighth minute the centre was sent over the line by Jeremy Manning, who also converted. However an injury forced Munster’s fly-half off the field after half an hour and this loss was compounded by Andy Kyriacou’s sinbinning shortly after.

Following this offence Ceri Sweeney opened the Dragons’ account and grabbed a drop-goal, but these sandwiched Mafi’s second try that left the half-time score at 3-12.

The hosts upped their tempo in the second half and were rewarded when Jamie Ringer forced his way over for a try converted by Sweeney. This gave the Dragons a lead that they would not relinquish and their cause was helped by Donnacha Ryan’s yellow card.

This handed Sweeney his second penalty, and the fly-half sealed the win with his third three-pointer on the stroke of full-time.