Munster 26 (5)
Tries: Dowling, Holland, Warwick
Con: Warwick
Pens: Warwick (3)

Munster fought back from a 16-0 deficit at Rodney Parade to maintain their 100% start to the Magners League season.

A Wayne Evans try and 13 points from the boot of Aled Thomas gave Newport Gwent Dragons the early advantage.

But an Ian Dowling try on the stroke of half-time began to turn the tide, Billy Holland adding another after the break.

Paul Warwick had an early nightmare with the boot, but found his form to edge Munster ahead and sealed the win with a 79th minute interception try.

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Rodney Parade was buzzing with the news that the region are in talks to sign Australia fly-half great Stephen Larkham, but the Gwent side - with a strong wind at their backs - made a poor start.

Scrum-half Andy Williams was taken off with a worrying-looking knee ligament injury, and the visitors were just denied an early try when Holland split the midfield defence.

Warwick missed the resultant straightforward penalty, a feat matched by opposing fly-half Thomas at the other end of the pitch.

Declan Kidney said at half-time we needed to up the aggression and hold onto the ball Man-of-the-match Tomas O'Leary

Dragons lock Luke Charteris was lucky to stay on the field after taking out Warwick following a grubber kick, and wing Gareth Wyatt still had to turn on the gas to deny Niall Ronan a follow-up try.

But the home side began to take the upper hand, Dan Lydiate driving powerfully into a ruck after a fine, flowing move.

Steve Jones cleared out superbly to give Evans quick ball, the replacement scrum-half darting over from close range for the opening try.

Munster looked to hit straight back but turned over ball on the Dragons' line, allowing Joe Bearman and Charteris to launch a scintillating 90m counter-attack.

The Irish defence just held out, but Thomas landed the resultant penalty and two more to take the lead to 16-0.

Munster finally got on the board with the final move of the half, good midfield work by Kieran Lewis freeing Dowling, who slid in for a try under Martyn Thomas' despairing tackle.

I've had words with the referee - he cost us the game Dragons coach Paul Turner

That spurred the visitors on, and, with man-of-the-match Tomas O'Leary calling the shots, after the break a strong forward drive from close range saw Holland over for a try.

Warwick's woeful form with the boot continued as he missed the simple conversion, but the Dragons lost the chance to turn the screw as they sent a kickable penalty to touch then saw Thomas blow a drop goal.

Warwick finally found his kicking form, sending over two penalties from over 40m to level the scores.

The Munster pressure mounted, and when Ashley Smith's midfield kick was charged down Anthony Horgan hacked forward and bore down on the line.

It was probably our best performance of the season in patches, but we've got to be smarter Dragons assistant coach Dai Rees

Thomas beat him to the ball, but deliberately knocked the ball over the dead ball line, allowing Warwick to land the penalty that put his side ahead for the first time.

Jones hobbled off the field to add to the home side's woes, and as they chased the game Thomas' flip pass was intercepted by Warwick.

The fly-half had a clear run under the posts, condemning the Welsh side to their third successive defeat.

"He didn't and I've had words with the referee - it cost us the game.

"I'm proud of the boys, the youngsters showed lots of energy."

"It was probably our best performance of the season in patches, but we've got to be smarter.

"There's no panic, there's a good feeling in the squad, we've got guys to come back from the World Cup.

"We've just got to keep working hard at what we do best and hopefully we'll pick the guys up for Ulster next week."

"[Coach] Declan Kidney said at half-time we needed to up the aggression and hold onto the ball - we showed a big improvement."

Dragons: M. Thomas, Wyatt, Davies, Smith, Mustoe, A. Thomas, A. Williams, Gustafson, S. Jones, R. Thomas, Charteris, Hall, Lydiatt, Parks, Bearman.
Replacements: Maule for Smith (32), W. Evans for A. Williams (6), Black for Gustafson (55), Daly for S. Jones (75), Sidoli for Hall (58), Ringer for Lydiatt (54), Fitisemanu for Bearman (64).

Munster: Payne, Dowling, Lewis, Mafi, Horgan, P. Warwick, O'Leary, D. Hurley, Fogarty, Pucciariello, Melbourne, O'Driscoll, Holland, Ronan, Foley.
Replacements: Tipoki for Pucciariello (55), Coughlan for Holland (50). Not Used: Cronin, T. Ryan, O'Donnell, G. Hurley, Manning.

Att: 4,587