Gloucester produced such a rampant performance that on today’s evidence, they must be considered major contenders to lift the trophy in Dublin next May.

Munster, despite boasting an outstanding Heineken Cup pedigree after reaching two of the last three European finals, had no answer.

Gloucester scored four tries, two from flanker Jake Boer and one apiece by wing Marcel Garvey and fly-half Ludovic Mercier.

Mercier also kicked 15 points, and all that Munster could gain in consolation was an injury time Peter Stringer try and three penalties and a conversion from Ronan O’Gara.

Rarely have Munster been so outplayed in European competition, and there is no doubt that Gloucester’s scintillating display will send warning signals flashing around Europe.

They proved that their Premiership form – five wins and a draw from six start - was no fluke as they pulled away to score 19 unanswered second half points after leading 16-9 at the break.

Territorially, Gloucester accommodated the opening exchanges but the combination of wasteful finishing and stern Munster defence meant that they had to wait 21 minutes before opening their account.

Mercier booted them into a 3-0 advantage, and then added another penalty after O’Gara had slotted his opening strike.

Seven minutes before the break though, Gloucester struck a telling blow with a try that came from nothing.

Mercier kicked the ball speculatively out of his own defence, but speed merchant Garvey reacted in true predator’s fashion to leave the defence stranded.

Garvey kicked off and then got to the ball first for a spectacular try that Mercier converted with assistance off the post.

Munster lost their Lions centre Rob Henderson with an injury, but they were still in contention at half time through two further O’Gara penalties to one by Mercier.

The second period was a completely different story though, as Gloucester, inspired by outstanding England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, stepped up a gear.

After continuing to defend impressively, Munster finally saw their resistance broken when Boer and Mercier crossed the tries during a four-minute spell that put Gloucester out of sight.

There was still time for Boer to add his second touchdown and send the vast majority of a capacity 11,000 crowd home happy.

Given that there is an Italian club in Pool Two, both Gloucester and Munster should reach the last eight, but it is Gloucester who have every reason to feel satisfied tonight having firmly established themselves as potential Heineken Cup winners.