Munster avoided the embarrassment of a fourth successive European defeat with a 26-13 win over Stade Francais on Saturday.

A week after their 27 points to 7 humiliation by 14-man Stade Francais in Paris, Munster welcomed the same French opposition to Thomond Park in the European Champions Cup.

But it was Stade Francais who struck first from the boot of Morne Steyn with barely a minute on the clock.

But the hosts hit back through Mike Sherry to take the lead, before Steyn kicked the visitors ahead.

However, a resilient Munster responded with a superb Keith Earls score just before the break to put a fired-up Irish side 12-6 in front.

And they picked up where they left off after the restart when Simon Zebo charged through to touch down underneath the posts.

Jono Ross appeared to have put Stade back in contention after capitalising on a Munster error.

But a fourth Munster try five minutes later when CJ Stander plunged over, sealed a deserved Munster victory.

While their qualification knock-out hopes were already over, the win ensured they avoided the indignity of a fourth straight defeat.

For Stade the result is a huge blow to their chances of qualification from pool four.