Reds have to hang on after scaling heights

Munster enjoyed the time of their lives for 40 minutes in last night’s Rabo Direct Pro12 clash with the Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park.

They should have led by more than 16-3 at half-time, but by the final whistle they were desperately relieved to have escaped with a three-point victory.

For half the proceedings, Felix Jones, Simon Zebo, Ian Keatley and Johne Murphy were at their scintillating best on a glorious night for open rugby and behind a forward pack that destroyed the Welsh in the set scrums and in the loose play exchanges, all culminating in a series of rip-roaring attacks that pushed them 16-3 ahead at the break.