In a thrilling opening match of the United Rugby Championship, Munster narrowly defeated Connacht 35-33 at Thomond Park, showcasing ten tries between the two teams. Connacht initially surged ahead with a 12-0 lead, courtesy of tries from debutants Josh Ioane and Ben Murphy. Munster responded with scores from Alex Nankivell and Mike Haley, but Connacht led 19-14 at halftime after Murphy's second try. The second half saw both teams trading tries before Shane Daly clinched the victory for Munster with a late score, converted by Tony Butler. Despite the loss, Connacht earned a losing bonus point and displayed competitive spirit, suggesting they will be a formidable team this season. The match highlighted the attacking prowess of both sides while revealing areas for improvement in defense.