Alan Quinlan pushes aside Andrew Dall

But nothing came of it and Munster broke upfield for their final first-half score, a penalty from Staunton.

The home side were finally sparked into life in the 45th minute shortly after a Jason Holland drop-goal had given the Irish side an even more commanding lead.

Edinburgh then got into the game and Hodge kicked another penalty before their try finally came along.

The ball squirted out when the scrum was disrupted on the Munster line and Simon Taylor was first to it, crossing the line to the delight of the home crowd.

Replacement Gordon Ross converted.

Ross kicked a penalty to tie the game with four minutes left.

But that was time enough for Munster to break upfield and for Staunton to kick the winner.

Edinburgh Rugby: Chris Paterson, Cammie Murray, Marcus di Rollo, Calvin Howarth, Conan Sharman, Duncan Hodge, Graeme Burns (captain), Allan Jacobsen, Steve Scott, Craig Smith, Andrew Dall, Richard Metcalfe, Don Mackinnon, Martin Leslie, Simon Taylor.
Replacements: Peter Robertson, Gavin Whittingham, Matt Jolly, Graham Dall, Iain Fairley, Gordon Ross, Keith Davidson.

Munster: J Staunton, J O'Neill or D Crotty, M Mullins, J Kelly, A Horgan, J Holland, P Stringer, P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M Galwey, M O'Driscoll, A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace.
Replacements: M Horan, J Blaney, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, M Prendergast, K Keane, C Mahony.

Referee: N Williams (WRFU)