A Croke Park crowd of 51,859 saw Munster deliver a statement performance as they claimed a 31-14 bonus point victory over champions Leinster.
It was the first time at Croke Park for their new coach Clayton McMillan, who was hugely impressed by the occasion at the famous Dublin ground.
“It was a hell of an experience turning up here,” said the former Chiefs boss. “We are well aware of the incredible legacy. It’s a privilege to play here and we really wanted to do it justice”.
“I asked our lads to fight for everything and they did that in spades” added McMillan.
“It needed to be relentless and that’s the thing I was really pleased about. We just worked hard all day”.
“That’s almost the uncoachable stuff, to keep getting up and working hard for your mate. I couldn’t be prouder of the lads for their effort.
“We have been challenged and criticised around our lack of physicality, and perhaps we answered a few questions today.”
The player-of-the-match award went to Munster’s Irish international fly-half Jack Crowley.
“It’s not about individual performances” said Crowley. “It’s about the plan the coaches gave us, it’s about the hard work that went in with the lads all week”.
Crowley added, “It’s about how well you can come together as a collective and say you are going to deliver on a plan and then actually go out and do it. For me, that’s the pleasing thing”.
“I’m massively proud to be able to front up with these lads and get over the line.”
Second-placed Munster are one of three teams who remain unbeaten after the opening four rounds, along with the DHL Stormers and Ulster Rugby. All three having won on the road this weekend.
Stormers remain top
The DHL Stormers stay top of the URC table on point’s difference, having secured the maximum in beating Zebre Parma 31-13 out in Italy.
As for Ulster, they produced a superb display as they recorded a 34-26 bonus point win over a star-studded Hollywoodbets Sharks side in Durban.
“Obviously, we're delighted to come over here and win and pick up five points” said Ulster coach Richie Murphy.
“It's a really big statement win for us, especially against the quality of the Sharks team”.
“When you see the names on the teamsheet, you could easily give up and go and think about next week, but that's not the type of team we want to be”.
“We want to play against the best teams with their best players. That challenge has really galvanised our team, and we're really pleased with the result”.
“I think we've shown a new side of what type of team we want to be - extremely committed, working hard for each other”.
“We've played four games this year, one pre-season and three league games - and we've won all four. We haven't done that in a very long time.
“You can see how much the players want to play for each other and the commitment they have to Ulster, which is huge. We're very happy with how we're progressing at this stage.”
It was a very mixed day for Springboks winger Mapimpi, who scored a try but then received a 20-minute red card.
Having only played three games following the postponement of their trip to Edinburgh in Round 2, Ulster fifth in the table.
Glasgow Warriors remain in third, having beaten the Ospreys 42-17 in Bridgend with scrum-half Jamie Dobie posting two tries.
Cardiff collect a victory
Cardiff also claimed a bonus point win on their travels to stay in fourth place having beat Dragons 24-17 at Rodney Parade.
The most dramatic ending of the weekend came out in Galway amid yet another away victory.
When Ireland wing Mack Hansen stretched out to score in the corner in the 79th minute, Connacht were just a point behind the Vodacom Bulls.
Indeed the hosts had a chance to win the game with the touchline conversion. However, replacement Sean Naughton was wide with his two attempts.
The visitors from Pretoria who took the spoils 28-27, claiming a third win from four BKT URC matches this season.
Connacht picked up two points from the narrow defeat. “It was a hell of a game. It was a rollercoaster, wasn’t it?” said Connacht coach Stuart Lancaster.
“We showed great spirit and great fight. We got two points out of it against a top team that came second in the competition last season”.
“I think the fixes we need to make are easy in my mind. Overall, I am very proud of the lads. It’s a shame we didn’t get the win, but we got the two points”.
“If I am a Connacht supporter, I am proud of the team, watching the fight and watching the spirit.”
Meanwhile, Edinburgh Rugby and the Lions both claimed their first wins of the season.
Having suffered narrow defeats away to Zebre and Munster, Edinburgh broke their duck in style with a 43-0 victory over Benetton Rugby at the Hive Stadium.
Whereas, the Lions were involved in a closer contest with the Scarlets at Ellis Park. Lions winning out 29-18.
That leaves the Scarlets as one of three teams without a league win, along with the Sharks and the Dragons.
Indeed, Cardiff scored a 24-17 bonus point victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
That’s now 21 league wins in a row for Cardiff over their east Wales rivals. A record stretching back to December 2014.
It leaves the Dragons without a victory in the BKT URC since the opening day of last season.
What’s coming next?
It’s the conclusion of the opening block of BKT URC fixtures next weekend before focus switches to the autumn internationals.
The table-topping DHL Stormers take on the next leg of their Italian job as they face Benetton in Treviso. Whereas, second-placed Munster have another Irish derby, with Connacht the visitors to Thomond Park.
Glasgow, in third, welcome the Vodacom Bulls to Scotstoun for what looks like being a really compelling contest.
Fourth-placed Cardiff entertain Edinburgh at the Arms Park, while there’s a Welsh derby with the Dragons hosting the Ospreys at Rodney Parade.
Elsewhere, it’s Hollywoodbets Sharks v Scarlets with both teams looking for a first win of the season. Whereas, Lions face Ulster and Leinster face Zebre.
