Munster 20 Edinburgh 19

MUNSTER edged out card-happy Edinburgh to ensure they head to Croke Park next weekend having barked their third victory of the new URC season.

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

The visitors had four players sent to the sin-bin by ref Ben Whitehouse - including two almost at the same time before the break.

Ultimately Edinburgh paid the price as Josh Wycherley completed a successful comeback for the Reds.

Tom Farrell, the province's Player of the Year last season, was superb in his first game of the campaign.

But even after making 10 changes to his lineup and with Jack Crowley rested and Craig Casey injured, Clayton McMillan will be concerned for the second week in a row as his side came close to a first defeat of his reign.

The hosts had made a dream start. Andrew Smith took a quick throw-in to Calvin Nash in midfield and the winger kicked deep into the 22.

Smith kept going and, as the bounce beat Darcy Graham and Wes Goosen, the Dubliner scored with less than two minutes gone.