Bristol kicked off the pre-season tour of Ireland with a defeat to Heineken Cup finalists Munster at Thomond Park.

Two tries apiece from veteran lock Mick Galwey and out-half Jeremy Staunton helped the home side to victory in Limerick.

Neither side was at full strength with Bristol number eight Ross Beattie captaining a side missing Argentine stars Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contempomi but containing England second row Garath Archer.

Virtually all Munster's first-choice players were absent either through injury or on international training duty with Ireland.

Bristol, just two-and-a-half weeks from the start of the Zurich Premiership campaign, were much the sharper out of the blocks and drew first blood through a Lee West try on 20 minutes.

There was no further score until the second half, which began a lively pace with Munster getting on the board with a try from Galwey converted by Jeremy Staunton.

Bristol quickly retook the lead with an unconverted try from Brendon Daniel but Munster went ahead yet again on the hour with a try from substitute full-back Kevin O'Riordan.

The final quarter saw Munster run away with the contest thanks to two tries from Staunton, who converted them himself, and Galwey's second.