Munster created unwanted history on the opening day of the GUINNESS PRO12 season as they lost for the third consecutive fixture at Thomond Park against a much-improved Edinburgh 14-13.

For the first time since the dawn of professionalism; Munster caved in at home for the third game on the spin, once again losing at the once famed fortress of Thomond Park.

Munster have traditionally started the PRO12 season well, winning all but one of their season-opening contests since 2006 but an excellent kicking performance from Tom Heathcote and a try from Jack Cuthbert handed Edinburgh the unlikeliest of wins.

Edinburgh’s only victory on the PRO12 opening weekend since 2005 came when they visited Cardiff Blues in 2009 and won 22-21 but that unwanted statistic did little to alter their positive approach in the opening minutes against Munster.

Veteran prop Alasdair Dickinson was destructive in the game’s opening scrum, forcing Munster’s BJ Botha to pop up; a penalty was awarded and fly-half Heathcote did the business off the tee to put Edinburgh 3-0 up.

Edinburgh continued to dominate the opening exchanges and worked their way up to the Munster 22 with a series of offloads and despite losing the ball; Munster prop Botha was penalised for going offside earlier in the move allowing Heathcote his second shot at goal on eight minutes and his second penalty of the night.

Edinburgh had lost their last five matches in the competition prior to kick-off; with the Scotsmen’s only victory in Ireland in their last 23 visits being at Connacht in December 2012.

But after a below-par campaign last time out; Edinburgh looked a very different side altogether in Munster, dominating the front five exchanges in the opening 25 minutes and in particular pushing the Irish side around at scrum-time.

And it could have got worse for Munster on 30 minutes as scrum-half Duncan Williams was adjudged to have deliberately knocked the ball on just outside his 22 and a penalty was awarded but this time Heathcote missed his kick at goal.

Edinburgh were reduced to 14 men on 32 minutes as Argentinean Tomas Leonardi was penalised for a tip tackle on flying Munster wing Simon Zebo – the decision swung the momentum the way of the home side.

Munster made the their numerical advantage count on 36 minutes as CJ Stander buried his way over for his ninth score for the Irish side from close range following a smart catch and driving mail – Ian Keatley missed the simple conversion though.

Edinburgh wing Tim Visser thought he had scored a try on 39 minutes for the visitors but after conferring with the TMO the effort was ruled out for a forward pass.

Play was pulled back though for an earlier Munster indiscretion and Heathcote took full advantage from the kicking tee to move his side 9-5 ahead with the last kick of the half.

Edinburgh lost another back-row forward in the opening minutes of the second half as Hamish Watson was sin-binned for slowing down the ball on his own try-line, leaving the visitors with just 13 men.

Thomond Park was left stunned on 48 minutes as Edinburgh, despite their numerical disadvantage, extended their lead as Jack Cuthbert reacted quickest to a kick through to gather the ball and core in the corner.

Despite Heathcote missing his kick at goal – Edinburgh extended their lead to 14-5, leaving Munster and the crowd looking shell-shocked with just 30 minutes to play.

Munster were handed a lifeline on the hour as after a period of sustained pressure, Stander bustled his way over for his second score of the game and his tenth in 29 appearances for the Irish side.

Unfortunately for the second time in the game, Keatley missed a kickable conversion, leaving Munster trailing 14-10 with just 20 minutes to play.

Munster pulled themselves within a point of Edinburgh with just ten minutes to play as Keatley finally added his first points with the boot with a penalty.

Edinburgh replied though when it mattered most and kept Munster at bay; and with just a minute left on the lock they had the chance to win it but Heathcote’s long penalty went wide.

But Munster weren’t done just yet though and with 82 minutes left on the clock Keatley had the opportunity to win it with a long-range penalty but the fly-half missed his kick at goal.

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