Munster hit bonus against 13-man Stade Francais

Shane Daly scored a superb try on his 100th appearance as Munster started off their Champions Cup campaign with a comfortable 33-7 win over 13-man Stade Francais at Thomond Park.

The two-time champions were in control of proceedings at the start of the second half when both of the visiting locks were sent off for dangerous tackles in a four-minute spell of madness.

First-half tries from Thaakir Abrahams and Daly, and two Jack Crowley conversions, had Ian Costello's side, still looking for a permanent head coach since parting ways with Graham Rowntree in October, ahead but their task was made much easier when the Stade discipline disappeared.

Alex Kendellen scored from the play after the first red card, while Tom Farrell coasted over for the bonus point score soon after the second sending off.

The French side managed a consolation try but it was too little too late and Gavin Coombes wrapped up the scoring in the final minute.

Munster will hope that this performance can be the catalyst to put their inconsistent early-season form behind them, and have plenty to be pleased with ahead of Friday night's Pool 3 trip to Castres, who lost 38-8 to Northampton earlier on Saturday.

Perhaps mindful of the need to keep moving in the freezing conditions in the wake of Storm Darragh, the teams kept a good tempo in the early exchanges, a quick tap penalty by Stade signalling they were here to play, while Alex Nankivell and Abrahams combined for a half chance.

Munster were keen to spread it wide once they entered French territory and Nankivell, who signed a new deal during the week, was making ground each time.

The hosts were forced into a change in the 13th minute with Billy Burns replacing Calvin Nash, who had earlier knocked on on the tryline,