One of the strengths of Munster rugby over the year has been the ideology that opponents must be respected at all costs, not necessarily feared but at least respected.

Much of the talk leading into this tie surrounded the immediate future of Tomás O’Leary, after French TV claimed the Ireland international had inked a deal with Perpignan.

PETER STRINGER will be plying his trade with Munster in a Magners League game against Treviso on Sunday around the same time Ireland prepare to face France in the RBS Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium.