The growing Munster contingent in Pau is settling into life in the top flight in France and showed at the weekend they have what it takes to cut it amongst the best in the richest rugby league in the world.

Former Munster assistant coach Simon Mannix said he played no part in Paul O’Connell’s move to France and has denied he ever tried to sign the Irish captain for Pau.

Paul O’Connell won’t be the only Munster player making his last appearance in the red jersey at the Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night.

Whatever about the gathering Munster bandwagon, which will this weekend take them into a Guinness Pro12 semi-final at home to Ospreys, its origins lie in the sands of Lanzarote and a February warm-weather training camp.

If individual awards — Player of the Month, Man of the Match and the like — are an indication of the impact made by James Coughlan in his first season playing French rugby, then the boy has done well.

Back rowers Paddy Butler and Sean Dougall are leaving Munster at the end of the season, but versatile back Denis Hurley has signed on for another season.

Munster look set to lose another back-row forward to Pau with Sean Dougall in line for a move to the French Top 14 hopefuls this summer.

Added expectation? Paul O’Connell has been playing under the burden of it for years and the Ireland captain sees no reason why his side cannot deal with it when they play Australia in Dublin this afternoon.

Paul O’Connell has claimed “there’s been nothing done on my behalf” in the wake of rumours linking him with a move to France after next year’s World Cup.

French newspaper reports Paul O’Connell will end his career with French 2nd division club Pau after the 2015 Rugby World Cup came as a bombshell yesterday to his team-mates and Ireland and Munster fans.

It seems a little early in the Guinness Pro12 schedule for this match-up between old foes to feel like a crossroads game but for both Leinster and Munster this first weekend of October is exactly the moment where things start to get serious.

Munster attack coach Brian Walsh has warned reinstating some of the province’s core rugby values after the Rob Penney era’s "wide-wide" offensive strategy will take some time.

Everyone is a fan of James Coughlan because, with Munster, he did his talking on the pitch.

Simon Mannix’s time at Munster may be up but the former backs coach is bringing the province’s number eight, James Coughlan, with him to new club Pau.

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.

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.

The message from the Munster camp this week in anticipation of today’s Heineken Cup quarter-final may have been delivered in a variety of tones but it all boiled down to the same thing: It will take their best performance of the season to give them any hope of beating Toulouse this afternoon.

Conor Murray knows the Thomond Park cauldron can work in Munster’s favour tomorrow, it is coping with the tornado Toulouse will bring with them that concerns the Ireland scrum-half.

The appointment of Anthony Foley as Munster’s next head coach was great, the timing was right, and I think there is so much more to come from him that we haven’t yet seen.

Saying ‘yes’ was the easy part, but having fulfilled his ambition to be Munster head coach Anthony Foley will lean on the coaches he faithfully served as he prepares to take charge of his beloved province next season.

There may be plenty of positives from Munster’s season so far, but that will count for nothing if the province does not go on and finish the job, says Cathal Sheridan.

Billy Holland has signed a two-year contract with Munster that will see him stay with the province until June 2016.

Munster may end close to home in their quest to replace Rob Penney next season, but they are duty-bound to trawl the world for the best coaching ticket available.

Paul O’Connell believes appointing Anthony Foley as Rob Penney’s successor at Munster has the players’ backing and says the New Zealander’s departure as head coach in June “doesn’t make a massive difference” to his desire to stay with the province.

Munster rugby legend Mick Galwey believes Anthony Foley would have to leave the province to progress if he is not given the lead role following Rob Penney’s departure.

It was fun while it lasted and his departure will be keenly felt by some but having been spurned by Rob Penney, you can be sure Munster Rugby will dust itself down, pick itself up and carry on regardless.

Munster legend Ronan O’Gara has ruled out a fairytale return to the province as head coach in the wake of Rob Penney’s shock decision to turn down a contract extension.

Munster Rugby confirmed this afternoon that head coach Rob Penney and back coach Simon Mannix will leave the provincial team at the end of this season.

Rob Penney looks certain to remain as Munster head coach for at least another season.

While it’s a bit premature yet to suggest the good days are back for Munster, there is no question Rob Penney is making a significant impact on the continued development of his side.

While some uncertainty remains about his future, Rob Penney is putting complete faith in his side.

In terms of resolving outstanding issues, head coach Rob Penney is receiving plenty of encouragement from his medics ahead of Munster’s Heineken Cup clash in Gloucester, even if he appears more than happy to put discussion of his own future on hold.

Connacht head coach Pat Lam was left to rue poor discipline and the lack of a firm refereeing hand after suffering defeat last night.

Leicester, Wasps and Munster.

Conor Murray’s participation in the November Internationals is in doubt after the Munster scrum-half was last night cited for an alleged incident in Friday’s Rabodirect Pro12 victory over Glasgow.

The vast reservoir of talent available in Leinster has prompted several of their brightest young stars to broaden their horizons in the quest for first team rugby.

Peter Stringer is thankful Bath rescued him from “oblivion” at Munster after feeling he was unfairly ignored by Rob Penney and Simon Mannix.

BEYOND the romance, the reality.

Heineken Cup survival at Thomond Park.

Munster backs coach Simon Mannix will look to Ronan O’Gara to lead by example against Saracens tomorrow following his five-star performance at Thomond Park last Saturday.

Head coach Rob Penney is intent on ensuring the 20 infringements for which Munster were pinged in the first of their back-to-back Heineken Cup games against Saracens will not be repeated when the sides meet again in Watford on Sunday next.

Almost single-handedly, they salvaged the wreckage that was the 2007 World Cup in France.