Joey Carbery scored 26 points in an inspired performance as Munster eased to an impressive 41-15 victory at Gloucester Rugby to kick-off round five of the Champions Cup.
The Ireland playmaker, who was part of the squad which lifted the Grand Slam a year ago, got the ball rolling for his club with a first-half try after some sustained forward pressure.
Two conversions and two penalties moved him on to 15 points by the break but it was in the second half when he really came to the fore.
With Gloucester threatening a comeback following tries from Ollie Thorley and Fraser Balmain, Carbery took the game by the scruff of the neck – firstly by producing a divine chip through for Andrew Conway to score.
He then rounded off a superb individual display with a second try following an interception from Ben Morgan’s pass.
Carbery stole the show at Kingsholm but Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will have been pleased with what he saw from several of his charges.
Conor Murray pulled the strings from scrum-half so effectively, while CJ Stander was typically bullish from No.8 and Tadhg Beirne commanding from the second row.
There was, however, a slight concern with flanker Peter O’Mahony limping off with an injury early in the second half.
The Munsterman was inspired when Ireland beat England at the end of the 2017 Championship and Schmidt will hope he is available for their 2019 Guinness Six Nations opener against Eddie Jones’ men in Dublin.
Jones and England have a score to settle on the opening weekend, having lost their last two Guinness Six Nations matches to the men in green.
And the Australian will no doubt have a plan to combat wing Keith Earls, who remains one of European rugby’s premier threats.
The diminutive wide man crossed for a crucial try midway through the second half, showing strength and poise to dot down the corner and help swing the match back Munster’s way after Gloucester started so positively following the break.
With so many internationals on show and contributing favourably, it was a positive night for the defending champions.
France are always one of the best sides to watch and with a talent like Gaël Fickou in their ranks, they are always a major threat.
The centre, who is just back from injury, was named in Jacques Brunel’s Guinness Six Nations squad this week and showed why with a try in Stade Français’ 35-14 Challenge Cup win Pau.
Paris is the stage on opening night when France welcome Wales for the first game of the 2019 Championship.
And, clearly in form, Fickou’s performance could be a defining factor in who starts the Championship in style.
Elsewhere for France, international prop Dany Priso crossed in La Rochelle’s 32-12 win against Zebre.
