The two-time champions led 6-0 following an error-strewn first half but they put themselves in a commanding position thanks to a Conor Murray try.

They still had plenty to do but sealed an emphatic bonus-point with three tries in the final 10 minutes through Peter O’Mahony, Sean Dougall and Damien Varley at the death.

The victory sees Rob Penney’s men climb to second in Pool One, ahead of a make-or-break December double-header with leaders Saracens. Meanwhile Edinburgh stay bottom of the group and face an uphill task to qualify.

Both sides were aiming to bounce-back from opening round defeats and Munster were well aware that a loss at Thomond Park would all but end their hopes of advancing.

Keatley got the scoreboard ticking after just three minutes and Munster continued to dominate with the lion share of both territory and possession.

But they struggled to turn pressure into points and could only count another Keatley penalty on 23 minutes as they led 6-0 at the interval.

But they began the second-half strongly and laid siege to Edinburgh’s half. The pressure eventually told and Ireland scrum-half Murray bulldozed over from close-range, with Keatley converting.

Six minutes later the fly-half added his third penalty to stretch the hosts’ lead to 16-0.

The encounter burst into life in the final quarter and a powerful rolling maul made the inroads for O’Mahony to burrow over. Keatley converted and Munster grabbed another quick-fire try within two minutes.

JJ Hanrahan burst from deep inside his own half, he linked with Keatley, who ignored his support and was hauled down short but the ball was recycled and Dougall dived over.

The bonus-point still looked likely to evade the hosts but with 30 seconds left on the clock they kicked to the corner from a penalty. Donnacha Ryan took the lineout and Varley burrowed over for the crucial fourth try.