A try inside the first couple of minutes and it’s come from Damien Varley. What a start for Tony McGahan’s side. Ronan O’Gara completes the formalities.

Northampton miss chance to reduce the arrears straight away as Ryan Lamb goes wrong with his penalty attempt.

Where Lamb failed, Chris Ashton obliges. He charges over to bring matters level, along with a conversion from the man who just missed a penalty for his side.

Careless kicking from Munster to blame for that one, sloppy play after such a fine start.

And the home side’s complacency seems to have cost them dearly as Lamb kicks a penalty to put Northampton ahead…

Northampton are clearing their lines effectively. Ben Foden breaks but he is stifled by some good Munster defending. After a blistering start things have quietened down..

A bloodied Lamb is suddenly in the mood and he kicks his side into a six point lead. Indiscipline from Munster.

Northampton  are penalised for turning the scrum around and Munster get a put-in.

Lee Dickson gains around 40 metres with a mammoth kick for the Saints. Munster have not recovered their composure.

The home crowd are not happy after the TMO rules out a Munster try from Denis Hurley.. He hadn’t applied downward pressure though..

Northampton make a mess of the scrum and O’Gara has a penalty chance for Munster. He doesn’t miss.

Murray and Barnes do brilliantly for Munster as they engineer a ball to Varley. He finds Dougie Howlett and the Kiwi does the rest, shimmying here and there before going over. O’Gara converts. Perfect timing as half-time arrives.

Munster pick where they left off – another three points from the boot of O’Gara.

Lamb immediately cancels out O’Gara’s penalty with an easy score of his own.

Foden seems to be in tremendous pain after a challenge from Howlett. He’s just winded though. Nothing to see here.

It is a fact that Ronan O’Gara never gets older looking. That is all.

Whew! The match just exploded. Hurley bursts through like the clappers but is stopped just before the line, before Dickson attempts to make it a real end-to-end effort.

He was unsuccessful, we may add.

A rare mistake from Lamb who misses his kick. Advantage Munster.

Donncha O’Callaghan enters the fray like a man possessed…

Try for Northampton! Great skill from Lamb sees the ball break to former Munster man James Downey, who barges over the line. The boos ring out as the home crowd feel Lamb passed forward, but it was actually a Munster hand. Fair score. Lamb misses the conversion.

Munster have the numbers at the breakdown and win a penalty in their own half. This is not over yet.

Tomas O’Leary is on for the home side. For those who’ll accuse me of relinquishing the fada – keyboard issues.

Artemyev kicks the ball forward from an Ashton pass and suddenly the Munster line is calling. He fluffs it. He fluffs it badly.

John Hayes is about to become the first man to reach 100 Heineken Cup appearances…

O’Gara had four from four but the gusting wind drags his latest kick to the left of the upright. The score remains 20-21.

A standing ovation for the 38-year-old Hayes.

Munster are facing the prospect of their second successive home defeat in European competition… Just six minutes remain..

Northampton thought they should have had a penalty out of the latest scrum but no dice. O’Leary breaks, Munster press, and press, and press…

Only Leicester have previously won here – will the Saints trump their biggest rivals?

Solid, oppressive defence from Northampton – we’re up to 30 phases!

What a finish!!!!!!!! Ronan O’Gara’s drop goal wins it for Munster. There is nothing like the Heineken Cup for drama. Phenomenal. It’s all over. Breathless stuff… Over and out!