Like so many of those who knew Anthony Foley, James Downey could not believe the news last October that his former boss had passed away so suddenly.

A near-frozen Glasgow and an in-form Warriors provide yet another test of this Munster’s side mettle this evening as Rassie Erasmus’s players bid to reach the Champions Cup knockout rounds with a week to spare.

Simon Lewis compares the sides ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup opener.

From where Munster was 18 months ago, things looked and felt a whole lot more positive from where I was sitting Tuesday night, writes Ronan O’Gara

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Racing 92 sealed a home quarter-final tie in the European Champions Cup with a record victory over Scarlets in Paris.

A dozen have been recruited and a dozen have failed to take centre stage, but Munster will hope All Black Francis Saili can finally provide a remedy for their midfield woes.

Munster’s great tradition in European competition has always been something to cling to in tough times, writes Ronan O’Gara.

The new rugby season could hardly have begun in a more contrasting fashion for Anthony Foley and Steve Tandy, the respective head coaches of Munster and Ospreys who renew their rivalry in the Guinness Pro 12 at Thomond Park this evening, kick-off 6.30pm.

When James Downey and Casey Laulala, Munster’s first-choice centre partnership last season, were finding it increasingly difficult to break down defences, coach Rob Penney acceded to the player’s wishes and experimented with Denis Hurley, normally a wing or full-back, in the number 12 jersey.

Munster signing Andrew Smith has an eye for an opportunity and with midfield vacancies up for grabs this season the former Brumbies centre is looking to make a speedy impression.

Veterans Donncha O’Callaghan and BJ Botha provide the experience in an otherwise youthful side chosen by new Munster head coach Anthony Foley for tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against Gloucester at Kingsholm (3pm).

Anthony Foley has been waiting for this week ever since his appointment as head Munster coach, and now that the first game of the new season — albeit a friendly against Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday — is almost here, the buzz about the man and all those around him was only too apparent at Cork IT yesterday.

Another Munster campaign reaches its conclusion without silverware or even a final appearance to show for all the sweat, toil and trouble, leaving incoming head coach Anthony Foley and his squad with plenty to ponder over the summer months.

RABO DIRECT PRO 12:

Damien Varley retains the captaincy for Munster's PRO12 semi-final against Glasgow Warriors on Friday night at Scotstoun Stadium, ko 7.35pm.

Munster 17 Ulster 19

The scale of the task facing Munster’s new centre signing Andrew Smith was made clear yesterday when the man he is set to replace was named in the RaboDirect Pro12 Dream Team for the season about to end.

Former Munster forwards coach Laurie Fisher and ex-Australian fly half Stephen Larkham helped broker Andrew Smith’s move from Brumbies to Munster next season.

Are the days of signing top, top names now more difficult for Munster because of finances?

Toulon 24 Munster 16

Damien Varley will captain Munster as they meet Toulon in the Heineken Cup semi-final at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Munster are holding out hope that fly-half JJ Hanrahan will make it onto the plane for Marseille today as the Irish province head into Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Toulon.

Munster coach Rob Penney hasn’t ruled out JJ Hanrahan playing some part in his sides' Heineken Cup trip to Toulon this weekend.

In a market that is set to become even more competitive given increased revenues from their domestic and European broadcast deals, the English and French clubs are set to make life a lot more difficult for the Irish provinces.

Munster will have to produce the best game they have ever played if they are to overcome Toulon in Marseille next Sunday and reach the Heineken Cup final, head coach Rob Penney has warned.

ATTITUDE

Rob Penney has he is confident his side can bounce back this weekend in the RaboDirect Pro 12.

Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend believes his team are coming to Thomond Park at the right time and in the right frame of mind.

James Coughlan will captain Munster in the absence of Peter O'Mahony who has been ruled out for the rest of the season following reconstructive shoulder surgery earlier this week.

In terms of injuries, it’s a mixed bag for Munster as the business end of the season approaches.

Munster’s Casey Laulala is likely to miss the province’s Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Toulon in Marseille on April 27 following confirmation that he broke a bone in his right hand during Saturday’s victory over Toulouse.

Charlie Mulqueen rates the Munster men's performance on the day.

Munster 47 Toulouse 23

Irish attitudes towards French opposition in Europe have changed markedly, but a healthy respect remains for Guy Noves’ Toulouse, writes Ronan O'Gara.

Memo to Munster fans from Ronan O'Gara : Get into Thomond Park a good 45 minutes before tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Munster are likely to take a gamble on captain Peter O’Mahony’s fitness when head coach Rob Penney names his starting line-up to face French powerhouse Toulouse in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park.

Paul O’Connell issued a downbeat assessment of Munster’s chances of a Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over French giants Toulouse, saying his province should not be favourites at Thomond Park on Saturday.

THE STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

They may be the “Six Nations champions”, according to Rob Penney, but Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor is taking no chances with his selection for tonight’s top-of-the-table league clash with Munster, keeping several frontline players out of the inter-provincial fray ahead of European battle next weekend.