What a great end to the first half for Munster!

Graham Rowntree's side are now in the driving seat having come back from a try down in the first-half.

The English side had the better of the early exchanges, but a yellow and then a red card for the visitors have changed the complexion of the game.

With a one-man advantage for the rest of the game, the hosts are in a good position to go up through the gears in the second-half, but Northampton will have the wind on their backs after the break.

The second-half should be interesting...

Northampton hooker Curtis Langdon is shown a red card for what is deemed to be 'reckless' contact from his knee to Tom Ahern's head at the bottom of a ruck.

Northampton down to 14 men as Ahern also has to leave the field with a potential injury to his head.

Northampton's George Furbank has been shown a yellow for a tip-tackle on Calvin Nash.

Calvin Nash surges forward for Munster and there is some energy to this attack.

Nash's carry has lifted the crowd.

Craig Casey takes a quick tap from a penalty but is hauled down just short of the line.

There's an infringement from Northampton but the referee is going back to look at an earlier tackle on Nash in the build-up.

Munster have another penalty and opt for a shot at the posts.

Ambitious considering the wind in the first half but Jack Crowley fancies it...

The connection isn't good enough and his attempt falls short.

Despite the wind, Jack Crowley makes no mistake from the kicking tee to get the first points on the board for his side.

Craig Casey with yet another box-kick but Northampton continue to deal with them well.

Kick tennis ensues but Jack Crowley finds touch with an incredible kick from deep in his own half.

Munster then force a penalty and Jack Crowley calls for the kicking tee...

Peter O'Mahoney is penalised at the breakdown and Northampton take a quick tap.

Tadhg Beirne gets over the ball on this occasion and the referee has given a penalty for holding on.

There's not much to separate these sides as we move into the second quarter.

Munster beginning to get more of a foothold as they go through the phases and slowly work their way up the pitch with some strong carries.

Northampton's defence is standing strong however.

Gavin Coombes puts in a massive hit on centre Fraser Dingwall as things start to heat up.

Munster have the scrum now but pressure from Northampton leads to a scrum penalty and Northampton work their way up the pitch...

Craig Casey is marshalling the Munster forwards as they progress up the field through a number of phases.

The scrum-half hits another box-kick to test the Northampton back three.

The English side gather the ball and win a penalty but they have missed touch and Munster return the kick with interest.

A probing kick from Northampton has pinned Munster back.

A lineout on their own five-metre line which provides them with the chance to clear their lines.

Northampton have dominated territory and possession in the opening exchanges.

Munster have won a scrum penalty on their own put-in and Crowley finds touch on the half-way line as Munster seek to use the lineout as an attacking platform.

Munster have a scrum just outside their own 22 and Craig Casey drills a low kick into Northampton's backfield.

The visitors put up another high kick and Simon Zebo's return goes straight out which means the referee brings it right back for the lineout.

Both sides seeking to utilise the high ball in the strong wind in Limerick.

The early battle for territory has been back-and-forth, with Northampton now working their way towards Munster's 22.

A Northampton knock-on provides some respite from a breathless first few minutes as John Hodnett receives treatment.

An early surge forward from Northampton but some aggressive counter-rucking from the hosts who are awarded a scrum and an opportunity to clear their lines.

Referee Tual Trainini blows the whistle and we're off here at Thomond Park!

Crowley's wind-assisted kick has gone dead and Northampton have a scrum on the halfway line.