Hugh Campbell’s Scottish side – who drew 27-27 with leaders the Ospreys three weeks ago - had garnered a 13-point lead midway through the first half.

But tries either side of the break from Jason Holland, Alan Quinlan and James Storey saw Munster’s year-long unbeaten run at Thomond Park remain intact.

Glasgow fly-half Calvin Howarth – who kicked three from six goal shots in the first half – saw the visitors first out of the blocks with a second minute penalty.

The Scotland A international then traded successful kicks with Munster’s Paul Burke before Glasgow lock Dan Turner’s 15th-minute burrow over helped the visitors on the way to a 16-8 lead at the interval.

It was Gareth Maclure – a late replacement for injured wing Kenny Logan – who set it up, as he combined well with fellow flank man Rory Lamont, and with Canadian prop Kevin Tkachuk setting up ruck position Turner crossed with captain Cammy Mather in tandem.

Howarth converted and added his third penalty before Munster – skippered by Frankie Sheahan on his 101st appearance – finally moved up a gear.

Repeated forward drives saw the Glasgow rearguard cave in on 28 minutes when Holland touched down from Burke’s skip pass.

Dominance swung the way of the home side on the restart, and Burke immediately set about carving up Munster’s 16-8 half-time deficit.

The former Harlequin kicked a 42nd-minute penalty and following Quinlan’s try from a traditional home maul 10 minutes later, Burke converted for an 18-16 lead.

Summer signing Storey then got in for his first try on a bustling break from substitute Rob Henderson, converted by Burke.

With Munster number eight David Wallace in the sin-bin, Howarth did manage to pick up a late bonus point for Europe-chasing Glasgow with an injury time penalty, but the home win was already sealed.

Denis Leamy’s suspected knee injury, on a day when fellow flanker Johnny O’Connor damaged his ankle for Wasps, will have Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan sweating ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash with England in seven days’ time.