The ghosts of Christmases past will be circling around the four provinces this weekend as they prepare for the unique demands that come with the traditional back-to-back December rounds in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Last Sunday’s journey down the yellow brick road to the U Arena may have produced some dazzling rugby as well as a Champions Cup defeat but there will be a lot to be said for a return to the great outdoors of Thomond Park when Munster welcome Castres tomorrow (1pm) and bid to reach the quarter-finals.