O’Gara lined up at fly-half to face Scotland’s Dan Parks, both of whom face challenges to their position on the international stage to younger alternatives in the form of Johnny Sexton and Ruaridh Jackson.

Cardiff led Munster 6-3 at half-time after two Parks penalties. He added his second on the 31st minute following Tony Buckley’s sin-binning.

Ireland fly-half O’Gara cut the deficit to three points with a penalty following a late hit from Cardiff replacement Ben White.

The second-half saw Munster assert their dominance in the early stages and their patience was soon rewarded after a Sam Tuitupou break saw Quinlan carry the ball over the line and put the home side in the lead. O’Gara added the extras.

Penalties between O’Gara and Parks were exchanged but in foggy conditions to the point where supporters failed to spot the ball, Munster held on.