An awful first-half performance condemned the Dragons to a heavy 38-19 defeat to Munster at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons actually outscored the Irish province three tries to one in the second-half, but that mattered little after conceding 31 unanswered points in the opening 40 minutes - as the Gwent side's nightmare season plumbed new depths.

Scores from Chris Coleman, Harry Wilson and Dane Blacker added some gloss to the scoreboard, but it was little consolation after Filo Tiatia's side offered no resistance in the first-half.

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With the Welsh side still searching for a first win in the URC since the opening weekend, there was never any danger of it coming here - with Munster having the bonus point wrapped up by the end of the first quarter.

It took just two minutes for Munster to open the scoring, with wing Diarmuid Kilgallen crossing for their first. Further scores from Alex Kendellen and debutant Ben O'Connor followed, before the bonus point was secured after 20 minutes when Dragons fly-half Lloyd Evans was sin-binned for a high tackle that denied a try near his own line.

That penalty try was followed up by a score for Dian Bleuler to pass the 30-point mark before half-time.

Prop Coleman got over after half-time to get the Dragons on the board, before replacement back-rower John Hodnett crossed for Munster's sixth.

There were consolation scores for centre Wilson and scrum-half Blacker in the final quarter, but it added a sheen to the scoreline that didn't reflect the gulf between the two sides.