Reds edge dour clash in Newport
MUNSTER returned to the Conference A summit ahead of Glasgow Warriors after beating Dragons in a low-key clash at Rodney Parade.
Dragons led 7-3 at half-time thanks to a try from tighthead prop Lloyd Fairbrother, which Josh Lewis converted, against a Bill Johnston penalty for Munster.
But an unconverted try by Jean Kleyn, the only score of the second period, gave the Irish visitors the victory in Newport.
Second row Kleyn made up for an earlier dropped pass on 64 minutes by driving over from a metre.
The persistent rain thwarted running rugby as both teams chose a kicking game, some decent, some aimless, in the first half.
And with plenty of handling errors, it was not a pretty sight as Munster looked to go back above Warriors who won 9-3 on Friday against Ospreys. Meanwhile, Cardiff
Blues picked up an important victory in their quest to qualify for next season’s European Cup by defeating Connacht 8-7 at the Arms Park.
The Welsh side’s win reduced the gap between them and Connacht to two points in Conference A with seven games remaining.
Owen Lane scored a try for Blues with Steven Shingler kicking a penalty that gave them an 8-0 halftime lead. Paul Boyle scored Connacht’s try which Conor Fitzgerald converted.