A try from substitute Jason Wright in injury time gave London Irish victory over a youthful Munster side in Musgrave Park last night.

Munster used this opportunity to give new Australian signing Jim Williams his first start and the former Brumbies flanker, operating at number eight, impressed.

Williams said: I'm happy the way things went for me. There were no problems with the (injured) hand. I took a hard knock on it, but everything is fine."

London Irish started at a lively pace and scored the opening try in the fifth minute through Justin Bishop. Killian Keane reduced the deficit minutes later with a penalty, a score that was cancelled out by Barry Everitt's effort in the 18th minute.

John Lacey dropped a goal three minutes later but London Irish winger Jarrod Cunningham crossed on the right, somewhat against the run of play, in the 36th minute.

Munster tied it up in first-half jury time when Keane, who had just returned after a blood injury, chipped ahead and Dominic Crotty raced through to score under the posts.

Keane edged Munster in front with an early second-half penalty but a delightful crossfield kick from Everitt fell into the hands of Cunningham who grounded for his second try.

Keane edged Munster ahead with his third penalty but Wright's try won it for the visitors at the death.

MUNSTER: D Crotty; J Lacey (M Mullins 74), C Mahony, M Lawlor (F Murphy 80), D O'Sullivan; K Keane capt (M Mullins temp); M Prendergast (D Hegarty 60 ); M Horan (D Clohessy 74), J Fogarty (J Blaney 60) , M Cahill; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (M O'Driscoll; D Leamy, D Bowles (P Malone half-time), J Williams.

LONDON IRISH: M.Horak (G Appleford 62); J Cunningham (N Drake 49), J Bishop, B Ventor (R Hoadley 62), P Sackey (J Wright 78); B Everett (J Brown), D Edwards; N Hatley (J Worsley 44), N Drotske (R Kirk 44), S Halford (R Hardwick 44); J Fahersolin (G Delaney 51), R Strudwick capt (S Williams 62); E Halvey (R Bates 51), K Dawson (J Cockle half-time), D Danaher (C Sheasby 62).