The Scarlets could only muster two first-half penalties from Wales playmaker Rhys Priestland, as their momentum was scuppered by their inability to hold on to the ball.
The Llanelli side should have gone in at the break ahead after a spirited 40 minutes, but JJ Hanrahan’s boot kept them at arms length during the second-half.
Priestland fired the Scarlets in front after three minutes. The opportunist Wales fly-half clipped a drop-goal just over the bar from 35 metres out whilst referee Claudio Blessano was playing advantage for an earlier offence.
Munster, fresh from their 23-34 victory over provincial rivals Leinster, began to edge into Scarlets territory through their powerful ball carriers. And the pressure told after 19 minutes when the West Walians handled the ball at a ruck. Hanrahan converted the resulting penalty to level the scores.
Munster came back with another wave of attack as the Scarlets struggled to maintain possession. And the Irishmen struck through Smith, who finished at the corner after the hosts created an overlap with a series of powerful drives.
Priestland rattled the right-hand post with a penalty shot with five minutes left in the half, but made no mistake with a chance moments later, to close the gap to 8-6 at the break.
Hanrahan found his kicking boots in the second period to slot two penalties and extend the Munstermen’s lead to eight points. He added a third to tie the game up, and it could have been more if it were not for brave defence to keep James Cronin and Johne Murphy out.
