Munster dug deep, admits skipper

Four Ronan O'Gara penalties gave his side the points, but the crucial period of the match came in the second period - with the talismanic captain in the sin bin.

The Saints had a succession of attacking scrums just fives metres from the home try line. They were clearly on top but the never say die attitude of the Munster pack turned the ball around, and that gave the home team the belief they needed, according to the skipper.

"When we cleared the ball., that gave us a lot of confidence and even though we didn't play particularly well we dug deep and produced a result," O'Connell said after the match

The win means Munster are certain of a home quarter-final in their 12th successive season of final eight qualification and Munster stalwart Alan Quinlan said: "It's testament to eh work that goes on behinds the scenes that we've qualified again.

Hard work has paid off., we're pleased to hat got through a very tough game, there were some hairy moments. Credit to them they are a tough side."