In a game that saw referee David Rose award a total of 45 free kicks and penalties - two of those penalty awards were penalty tries to the home side - and Munster score four tries, the decisive score came late on when Leicester took a quick tap penalty for Croft to squeeze in at the corner.

When Scott Deasy converted Damian Varley's 64th-minute try to put Munster one point in front at 28-27, it was no more than they deserved given that it was the fourth time they had crossed the Leicester line.

The Magners League champions then had to withstand fierce Leicester pressure, which they did with tremendously brave defence, and when they orchestrated a break out with some slick handling it looked like they were heading for victory.