Ian Madigan put Leinster back in front, Jonathan Sexton adding the extras before kicking a pointer, fellow Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara replying with a three-pointer of his own.

Sexton kicked another penalty before O’Driscoll somehow squirmed his way over to give Leinster some breathing space.

And the try from O’Driscoll, who missed this year’s RBS 6 Nations through injury, proved decisive as Munster came roaring back with a Conor Murray try.

Ian Keatly kicked the conversion but Leinster held firm for the final 13 minutes for the win.

Elsewhere, Leigh Halfpenny might have scored a penalty on his return from an ankle injury but that was all the Wales star had to cheer on his comeback as Cardiff Blues were thumped 18-3 by Glasgow Warriors.

The full-back was outshone by Peter Horne, who kicked six penalties for the Warriors’ victory.