Munster head coach Johann van Graan admitted his team were very much second best to Leinster in their 19-34 home defeat in the United Rugby Championship.
The visitors led 14-12 at the break with Garry Ringrose claiming the only try of the half, but after the resumption it was Leinster that stepped up a gear with Ringrose again, James Lowe (2) and Jimmy O'Brien crossing the line for their ninth victory over Munster in the last 11 games.
The bonus-point victory extends Leinster's lead at the top of the standings – Munster remain in fourth – while Van Graan’s side now face into a Champions Cup tie with Exeter Chiefs sweating on the fitness of number 8 Gavin Coombes whose night was cut short with an ankle injury.
While Damian De Allende burrowed over for a try to put a gloss on the score line, the head coach admitted that their opponents were a cut above on the night in Limerick.
"They were too good on the evening," he told RTÉ Sport. "Well done to them. I think we gave away six breakdown penalties in the first half. That gave them access. The first try was a direct result of that."
Van Graan, who departs for Bath next season, felt it was his team that needed to get on the scoreboard after the break, but Lowe’s try in the 48th minute, and Jimmy O’Brien’s soon after to make it 22-12 effectively ended the game as a contest.
"I felt they took the game away from us between minutes 48 and 60 with two very good tries.
"We fought to the end. That was never an issue. I thought we played pretty well, but if you give them access, they will punish you."
Van Graan said the attention will quickly turn to Europe, but the potential loss of the dynamic Coombes could be a big blow to their hopes of progression.
"He will go for a scan," the South African said when asked on the nature of the ankle injury.
"We have picked up a few injuries the past few weeks. He’s obviously a very important player for us. You saw at the start of the game, he carried really well."
