A weakened Leinster side were systematically broken down at Thomond Park as Munster put late defeat at Welford Road behind them.
The southern province secured a bonus point victory by a scoreline of 29-17, with tries from Simon Zebo, Ronan O'Mahony, Tommy O'Donnell and CJ Stander putting the game out of sight following Zane Kirchner's sensational opener. Richardt Strauss responded late on for the visitors.
Munster now move five points clear of the old enemy atop the Pro12 table, while - despite a promising opening 20 minutes or so - a number of Leinster's youngsters learned harsh lessons on their first trip to Limerick.
Here's how we rated both teams:
Munster
Simon Zebo: 8
His supremely-finished try arrived at a crucial juncture for Munster. Was dropped on his arse more often than you've had to kiss your aunts this Christmas, but continued to run hard - with one spectacular late break - and kept Leinster defenders honest throughout.
Darren Sweetnam: 6.5
Not Sweetnam's most explosive performance. His most telling contribution was getting creased as Tyler Bleyendaal skipped him with a magnificent long pass to Ronan O'Mahony. That's not to have a go at the young Corkman, however; it was a dummy-reception which succinctly displayed his rugby IQ, and created an excellent score.
Jaco Taute: 7.5
Replaced my the man he was drafted in to replace after the hour mark, the big 'Bok once more proved his worth with strong running and excellent defensive positioning. Handling is grossly underrated.
Rory Scannell: 7
His partnership with Taute was once more productive. One height-defying, monumental kick-chase and catch epitomised his improvement over the past two seasons. There isn't much he can't do, and he's arguably the most intuitive player in Munster's squad.
Ronan O'Mahony: 7.5
A fine performance capped by a try. Ran hard, was aerially solid, and anticipated Bleyendaal's bullet pass to crash over in the corner. Partly culpable for Kirchner's opening score, but it was a magnificent line.
Tyler Bleyendaal: 9
A magisterial display. Near flawless from the tee, Bleyendaal controlled the game expertly. His pass to O'Mahony, off his weaker side, was artistic.
Conor Murray: 8.5
Not his most explosive day from the base of the ruck, but was defensively huge - particularly early, when Leinster were making yards. Like Bleyendaal, had the game on a string. Crossfield kick for O'Donnell not the most picturesque, but effective.
CJ Stander: 9
Bordering on obligatory 9 for the colossal Stander, who capped another man of the match display with Munster's bonus point score.
Tommy O'Donnell: 8
Whatever about GAA backgrounds, O'Donnell displayed no shortage of juggling ability as he rose to collect Conor Murray's crossfield kick. As is typical with the 29-year-old Cahir man, was a huge - and perhaps underappreciated - defensive presence.
Peter O'Mahony: 7
A quiet night by his standards, but ruthless decisions to go to touch rather than kick three points proved fruitful for his side.
Donnacha Ryan: 7.5
The sheer dirt of him as he trod off the pitch to be replaced by Billy Holland told its own story, as it often does with Ryan.
Jean Kleyn: 8.5
Fast becoming a monster at lock. Conceded one cheap penalty when Munster had Leinster on the ropes, but a massive display of ball-carrying for the young South African. Might have sneaked man of the match.
John Ryan: 8
Another huge performance by the late bloomer from Cork, particularly in the scrum. Controlled things well at the breakdown on occasions where Murray was sucked into the rabbit hole.
Niall Scannell: 7.5
One erratic early throw was fitting of the game's frenetic pace, but the Dolphin hooker was again huge at the breakdown and continues to improve with ball in hand.
James Cronin: 8
Made amends for his four-week ban for stamping at the Aviva with a highly effective display, and dominated in the scrum.
Substitutes
Rhys Marshall: 7, Dave Kilcoyne: 6.5, Stephen Archer: 6.5, Billy Holland: 7, James O'Donoghue: 7, Duncan Williams: 6.5, Francis Saili: 7, Andrew Conway: 7.5
Leinster
Zane Kirchner: 6
The line he ran for the game's opening try was supreme, as he landed Ronan O'Mahony on his hoop, but beyond that it was a bleak night for Kirchner. His handling was poor, he might have been binned, and he surely shouldn't have been beaten by O'Donnell to Murray's crossfielder. Performed like a rookie on a night when he should have stood up as the senior international that he is.
Isa Nacewa: 7
Did what was asked with his boot and made one remarkable tackle on Zebo.
Rory O'Loughlin: 6.5
One lovely kick put his side within touching distance of the Munster line, before the home side turned his forwards over. Lacking possession, couldn't impact much.
Robbie Henshaw: 6
Largely anonymous as Leinster continuously coughed up possession. One Munster fan jokingly claimed he needs a move.
Barry Daly: 5.5
Will certainly have better days in blue. Pinged in possession prior to Munster's opening try. Slightly fortunate not to be pinged for a high hit on Sweetnam.
Ross Byrne: 6.5
A very poor kicking display was partially rescued by a sublime pass to Kirchner for the game's first try. A difficult day for the former Ireland 20s star, but where his tactical kicking - particularly early - left much to be desired, he was solid when he kept the ball in hand.
Jamison Gibson-Park: 5.5
Had he attempted to wrap Zebo in the corner he might have forced him into touch, but he went for a Hail Mary shoulder-charge, allowing/forcing Zebo to balletically spin back inside and touch down. Kicking struck as wayward throughout, though you'd have to question the chases for at least three of them.
Jack Conan: 8.5
The second-best back row display on the park, after Stander. An outstanding defensive effort by Conan, who saved a certain try with a turnover on his own five-metre line even with Leinster long-since out of the game. Per Opta, made 15 tackles in the first half alone.
Dan Leavy: 8
Trailed his eight by just two tackles in the opening stanza. Will emerge as a contender for the 7 shirt at international level in the next two or three seasons. Superb workrate and effort.
Rhys Ruddock: 6.5
Overshadowed by his Munster counterparts, and indeed his back row teammates, on a night when he could have re-announced himself to Joe Schmidt. Difficult year for an undoubtedly talented player.
Mike McCarthy: 6
Solid in the lineout early but ineffective for the most part.
Ross Molony: 7.5
The 22-year-old is a coming force, and along with Leavy and Conan, was a positive for Leo Cullen on an otherwise difficult night. Made almost 20 tackles.
Tadhg Furlong: 6.5
Fought a losing battle in Leinster's front row. Occasionally carried well.
James Tracey: 6.5
Put in a shift defensively but showed little of the form which saw him break into the Irish setup.
Cian Healy: 5.5
Spent most of the game being put backwards as Munster tended to double up on him in the tackle. Ill-disciplined and otherwise inconspicuous.
Subtitutes
Richardt Strauss: 7.5, Peter Dooley: 6, Michael Bent: 6, Ian Nagle: 6, Dominic Ryan 5.5, Noel Reid: 7, Tom Daly: 6
