However, Ospreys showed why they are the current title holders by fighting their way back.
Ospreys weathered the storm, a Jonathan Thomas interception try from David Blair securing the bonus point.
Munster top the group on 10 points, with Ospreys now third on six points.
Wales went to Twickenham as underdogs with a huge Ospreys contingent and we won.
Scrum-half Ricky Januarie, who spent three months with Welsh region the Ospreys this season, also starts.
The Ospreys produced some pressure after the break but the Munster defence held firm.
Eifion Roberts (Sale), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), Powell and Halfpenny were called up.
The Ospreys acknowledged the "intense" competition at number nine as a factor in Marshall's departure.
Bowe's injury was assessed by both the Ospreys and Ireland medical teams and specialist consultants.
Current Ospreys scrum-half Justin Marshall has first hand experience of the standard of the Magners League.
There are three uncapped players in Prydie, fellow Ospreys flier Kristian Phillips and Llanelli's Aaron Shingler.
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His colourful career took him to Swansea, the Ospreys, Bristol, Harlequins, the Scarlets and Pau.
The Ospreys clinched their crown by beating Leinster 17-12 in last season's Grand Final in Dublin.
He is currently on unpaid leave from Ospreys but has not played rugby for 18 months.
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But the Ospreys proved up to the challenge as they held out to claim victory.
The Wales wing concedes that the Ospreys "under-achieved" last season despite winning the EDF Energy Cup.
The Ospreys are desperate to conquer Europe and boast a squad of international stars.
He will be available for the Ospreys' home Celtic League game with Borders next Friday.
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Hook starts the Six Nations in place of his fellow France-bound Ospreys colleague Lee Byrne.
Adam Jones, Ian Evans and Lee Byrne have all recently returned to action for the Ospreys.
The Ospreys are exploring their back-row options after promoting former All Black Filo Tiatia to player-coach.
Between them the Blues and the Ospreys shouldered the geographical responsibilities left by the Warriors' demise.
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Hook and Boyet swapped penalties again as the Ospreys led 22-12 after 64 minutes.
But the night was over for the Ospreys when Paterson banged over his fifth penalty.
There is no such uncertainty at St Helen's where the Ospreys play for the last time.
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Collins is the Ospreys' first major signing since Scott Johnson's appointment as coaching boss.
Ospreys back-row Ryan Jones was Wales' major injury doubt for the match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
But the Ospreys already have James Hook, Gareth Owen and Dan Biggar in that position.
The fly-half made no mistake this time, as Connor opened the Ospreys' scoring account.
Ospreys arrive from Africa in late March and April and leave again in August and September.
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