Munster suffered their first defeat against Cardiff in four years as the Graham Rowntree era got off to a disappointing start.
Tries from Max Llewellyn, Kristian Dacey and Aled Summerhill saw Cardiff over the line, while Jarrod Evans contributed five points from the kicking tee.
Jack O'Sullivan scored Munster’s only try, with Ben Healy and Jack Crowley kicking eight points between them.
URC FT: Cardiff 20 Munster 13
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 17, 2022
A late Aled Summerhill try sealed the win for the hosts as Munster's campaign begins with a defeat. #URC #CARvMUN pic.twitter.com/bJTSOiiat7
It took Cardiff just four minutes to score the opening try, with a weak tackle from Munster lock Fineen Wycherley allowing Llewellyn to get back up on his feet to run in unopposed from 25 metres out.
Munster’s game was littered with handling errors, but they finally got on the board when Healy smashed over a difficult penalty.
Cardiff were dealt a significant blow when summer signing Liam Williams was forced off the field with his arm in a sling.
The Irish province then looked almost certain to score after Shane Daly danced his way past Evans before offloading to Liam Coombes, who was stopped centimetres short of the line.
Cardiff’s scramble defence was excellent, meaning Munster had to make do with three points from Healy’s boot which put them into the lead against the run of play.
HT: Cardiff 12 Munster 6 - Krsitian Dacey gets over for Cardiff's second just before the interval.
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Live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. #URC #CARvMUN pic.twitter.com/67FxhOaTgX
But Cardiff hit back on the stroke of half-time when a well-timed inside ball from hooker Dacey sent Llewellyn charging through a gap.
The big centre proceeded to draw in the last Munster defender to put Dacey over for the try. Evans converted, meaning Munster turned around 12-6 behind at the interval.
Cardiff did not make the most of their territorial advantage and it cost them early in the second half. Munster won a penalty at the breakdown and booted the ball deep into the hosts’ half.
Jack O'Sullivan scores Munster's first try but Cardiff quickly respond to move back ahead.
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Live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. #URC #CARvMUN pic.twitter.com/GkLA4sDYGu
The visitors went through the phases and, after a period of sustained pressure on the Cardiff line, O’Sullivan powered over from short range.
Crowley added the extras to put Munster into the lead with only 15 minutes left.
But Evans soon nudged Cardiff back in front from the tee before some wonderful footwork from Uilisi Halaholo sent Summerhill over for the decisive try.
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