O'Gara kicks Munster to victory

European champions Munster ended Leicester's imperious 26-match unbeaten home record as they began their Heineken Cup defence with a thrilling 21-19 victory at Welford Road.

Fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who had courted considerable pre-match controversy through his scathing criticism of English rugby, booted a match-winning penalty two minutes from time.

Lock Donncha O'Callaghan and flanker David Wallace scored first-half tries, while O'Gara added two penalties, a drop-goal and conversion to suggest the trophy will take some prising from Munster's grasp this season. Substitute Andy Goode though, took Leicester agonisingly close to a famous win, kicking two penalties and a conversion.