But after running in a try along with a Peter O’Mahony score and a penalty try he played a major role in ending Ulster’s 11-game winning streak in the league despite Ali Birch crossing for the leaders.

“We are delighted to get the win,” said Munster back-row Tommy O’Donnell. “It was a tough game with the conditions.

“The ball was very greasy but we are happy to take the win. We were a bit unlucky at the end not to get the bonus point but that's the way it goes.

"We have three big weeks coming up, Cardiff next week and then the two Heineken Cup games, but we'll keep building momentum and see how they go." 

Another man set to light up this year’s tournament is Tim Visser now the Dutchman has completed his residency period to play for Scotland – and he chipped in with a try during Edinburgh’s 21-17 losing cause to Glasgow Warriors.

The 25-year-old dived over to become the joint-leading RaboDirect PRO12 scorer of all time with Ireland’s Tommy Bowe on 48 – but it wasn’t enough as Henry Pyrgos, Sean Maitland and Ruaridh Jackson all went over for the visiting team to secure the victory which cements their place in the league play-off zone.

And Italian regular Leonardo Ghiraldini, who was named Italian captain for the 2010 RBS 6 Nations, got his name on the scoresheet while Italy fly-half Kris Burton added 16 with the boot as Benetton Treviso took away the Italian bragging rights against Zebre.