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.