After an early exchange of penalties, Rua Tipoki’s converted try put Munster 13-3 up, but Riki Flutey’s converted try levelled matters on the half-hour.

Shaun Payne’s try gave the Irish province a 20-13 half-time lead.

But Dan Cipriani landed two penalties, George Skivington’s try put Wasps ahead and they held on in a frantic finale.

It was a rousing encounter that, while not reaching the dazzling heights of their epic 2004 semi-final, provided tremendous entertainment for a crowd of 21,506, swelled by plenty of Munster fans, at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

Ronan O’Gara, putting his World Cup nightmare firmly behind him, tested the Wasps defence with a series of high kicks and probing grubbers which yielded a penalty after five minutes which the fly-half stroked over.

Cipriani swiftly levelled with one of his own but O’Gara continued to move the hosts around and kicked a second penalty before Munster split the Wasps defence wide open.

Lefeimi Mafi raced onto O’Gara’s flat pass straight between Flutey and Fraser Waters, and a simple off-load put Tipoki in under the posts, giving O’Gara an easy conversion.

Ten points adrift, Wasps launched an immediate riposte as Paul Sackey stepped inside two tacklers to release Cipriani, but the pass was adjudged forward and the try disallowed.

Wasps were not denied for long though. Cipriani landed his second penalty to make it 13-6 before Eoin Reddan’s box-kick yielded an equalising try on the half-hour.

Munster wing Anthony Horgan made a hash of collecting it and Flutey was onto the loose ball in a flash, avoiding O’Gara’s desperate dive to streak away.

Cipriani’s conversion levelled it at 13-13 and Munster endured a torrid 10 minutes as Wasps upped the ante, but Sackey was unable to ground the ball after taking a quick tap penalty.
 
Under the cosh, Munster rallied superbly and hit back with the last move of the half.

O’Gara’s precise grubber unhinged Wasps’ rush defence and Payne, recalled to the side after being made team manager this season, pounced in the left corner, O’Gara converting.

Suitably stung, Wasps started the second half at a great lick but found themselves 10 points down again as O’Gara landed his third penalty.

But two Cipriani penalties, the second after Munster prop Marcus Horan was sin-binned for coming in the side of a ruck, brought Wasps to within four points.

And they profited from the man advantage with a sweeping move to take the lead, Flutey’s dynamic break and Tom Voyce’s pass allowing lock Skivington to stretch over.

That ensured a nervous final quarter, with both sets of fans left biting their nails through five minutes of injury-time.

But Munster were unable to generate a scoring position as Wasps held on for a vital victory in a devilishly difficult group, the Irish marauders having to settle for a bonus point.

New Zealand wing Doug Howlett will join Irish province Munster after the World Cup on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Howlett told Munster’s website: “I have had an amazing rugby career in New Zealand and I am grateful to every person who has contributed to that.

“I consider Munster a fantastic opportunity to experience a different lifestyle with my family.”

Howlett, who has scored 43 tries for the All Blacks, will join former Heineken Cup champions Munster on 1 January 2008.

Munster Rugby director of coaching Declan Kidney said: “We are delighted to have someone of Doug’s calibre and quality joining the squad.”

Howlett joins fellow All Blacks Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Luke McAlister, Byron Kelleher, Aaron Mauger and Rico Gear in moving to Europe.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “Doug is a quality international player who has proven his ability at the highest level.

“Although it is disappointing to see a player of his class go overseas, we’ll remember the outstanding contribution he has made to New Zealand rugby.”

It is not only big names from New Zealand who are heading north after the World Cup.

Australia stars George Gregan and Stephen Larkham and South Africa players Victor Matfield, John Smit, Butch James and Ashwin Willemse have also signed for European clubs.