Munster underlined their Guinness PRO14 title credentials with an impressive bonus-point victory to sour Dean Ryan’s first game in charge of the Dragons.

The Welsh side did not lack for endeavour but were simply outclassed at Thomond Park, as the hosts crossed for five tries and conceded none for a satisfying opening-day win.

Arno Botha, Jack O’Donoghue and Shane Daly all dotted down in the first half, before further scores from Tyler Bleyendaal and Darren O’Shea ensured a comfortable win.

KEY MOMENTS

Munster’s impeccable record at Thomond Park is hardly a secret but the Dragons began fearlessly in Ryan’s first match as director of rugby.

New fly-half Sam Davies kicked the first points of the season with a penalty from in front of the posts but their lead was short-lived, as Munster gradually upped the tempo following a rusty start.

With a pack to rival any other in the Guinness PRO14, it was not long before the hosts turned to the forwards and it paid dividends when Botha crashed over from short-range.

JJ Hanrahan – in at fly-half, while rival No.10 Bleyendaal was shifted to inside centre – kicked a penalty to extend the gap, before Davies quickly reduced that to four points with his second.

But when Dragons hooker Richard Hibbard was sin-binned shortly before half time, the hosts turned the screw – with O’Donoghue sneakily dotting down from the bottom of a ruck.

For the visitors, it was a case of damage limitation while they were one man light but Daly had other ideas, chipping over the Dragons defence to plant the ball down in style.

That gave Munster a 13-point half-time lead but when full-back Mike Haley was sin-binned for a high tackle, the Dragons had a platform to attack from.

But attempting to pierce Munster’s red wall can be a fruitless task and the away side were frustratingly kept out, before shipping a fourth try of the afternoon as Bleyendaal rumbled over.

As the weather worsened, Munster focused on containing their lead before adding one last try through O’Shea.

MAN OF THE MATCH

There is no doubt these early weeks provide a platform for tomorrow’ stars to stick up their hand while their more established teammates compete in Japan. For Munster, step forward Shane Daly.

The 22-year-old is highly-rated by Munster coaches and he showed why with an inspired try shortly before half-time.

Against the 14-man Dragons, Munster moved the ball wide at pace in an effort to stretch the defence and cash in on their numerical advantage.

The visitors seemed to have Daly covered when he received the ball by the touchline but he cleverly chipped over Ashton Hewitt, sprinted past him and dotted down.

PLAY OF THE DAY

Munster were clinical when the Dragons went down to 14 men, but early in the second half they found the shoe on the other foot.

Mike Haley was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle and the Dragons set to work, inching towards the try line.

However, Munster gallantly held on and turned the ball over, before escaping from that ten-minute sticky patch without damage.

Cardiff City Stadium will play host to the 2020 Guinness PRO14 Final on June 20 as one of the most exciting days in the club rugby calendar comes to Wales!

General sale tickets are available from http://bit.ly/PRO14Cardiff2020 and prices start at just £13 for concessions and £26 for adults (subject to booking fees), that’s a 15% early bird discount. Family ticket (2 adults / 2 children) prices begin at £64 and fans are encouraged to buy early to get the best value tickets.