Man-of-the-match O'Connell scored his side's only try - his third in as many European appearances - as Declan Kidney's side set up an all-Irish semi-final to be played on the weekend of April 22-23.

O'Connell and Perpignan winger Mathieu Bourret swapped first-half tries as the French visitors led 10-7 at the break, with Bourret also kicking a penalty.

But a 14-point haul from fly-half Ronan O'Gara, which included four second-half penalties, saw Munster to victory.

The game also saw the return to top-class rugby of New Zealand's record try-scorer Christian Cullen, who has been out of action since March 5 of last year due to a shoulder injury. Cullen came on as a Munster replacement in the dying seconds.

O'Connell said: ''Our performance was far from vintage, but I suppose that's the way it is when you haven't played together for so long - it's maybe 10 weeks since that full team has played together.

''We're happy to get the job done and get the win, but it needs to be a lot better, no doubt about it.

''Perpignan are a very physical side, an excellent side. I thought we defended very well and scrambled well. Hopefully there's another big step up in us, there'll have to be - I think we were a long way off our performance against Sale.

''But a win is a win - it's the knockout stages of the European Cup and we'll take it.

''The semi-final should be a brilliant day. They [Leinster] are playing some fabulous rugby at the moment and they're very confident. It will be a massive occasion and everyone will
be looking forward to it.''