It's 20 years since Munster did that number on Francois Pienaar’s Saracens at Thomond Park.

Peter Jackson gets over the gain line, behind the headline

Some revealing facts can be laid bare today about the once symbiotic relationship between Munster and the drop goal, a weapon that never seemed to fail in the hands of Ronan O’Gara.

Munster are hoping JJ Hanrahan and Rhys Marshall successfully come through this week’s two main training sessions to have a chance of making their comebacks against Racing 92 at Thomond Park on Saturday.

The Irish provincial video analysts will be busily plugging into footage of the French Top 14 ahead of this season’s European Champions Cup. All four representatives have been handed French assignments over the next three months - with Connacht getting a double helping.

More often than not, it is a pleasurable homecoming that greets John Ryan on his return from a road trip.

Ahead of Saturday's eagerly awaited Heineken Champions Cup semi-final clash between Munster and Saracens we look back at previous titanic clashes between these two old rivals.

Ulster’s defence coach Jared Payne wants his side to take a leaf out of Munster’s book to get one of over Leinster on Saturday evening in Dublin.

Almost two years ago to the day, Jack Conan faced the media and attempted to make something clear.

Ten years after a first appearance at Thomond Park and Alby Mathewson is keen to enjoy more magical moments at the famous Limerick ground.

Maps based on painstaking analysis of medieval papal taxes have helped create a clearer picture of population and wealth in Ireland 700 years ago.

Maps based on painstaking analysis of medieval papal taxes have helped create a clearer picture of population and wealth in Ireland 700 years ago.

The firm that owns Thomond Park posted an operating profit as gate revenue for the Munster stadium doubled to €2.6m in the 2016/17 season.

On a day of farewells at Thomond Park, the last thing Munster need this afternoon when Edinburgh come calling is to kiss goodbye to their season.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has chosen a virtual second strength team for this evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Ulster at Thomond Park while his counterpart Jonno Gibbes goes into the game short two of his most valuable players, full-back Charles Piutau and scrum-half John Cooney. 

With the likes of Simon Zebo, Andrew Conway and JJ Hanrahan to compete with, it hasn’t been easy for Stephen Fitzgerald to get a run in a Munster number 15 shirt.

Munster 48 - Casters 3: The weather may have halted Munster temporarily but when they did get started it was worth the wait as the province secured a 17th European quarter-final by topping Champions Cup Pool 4 in commanding style.

And then there was eight, writes Donal Lenihan. 

No wonder Dan Leavy stood over the prone bodies of Munster forwards doing his best impression of The Hulk as Nigel Owens raised his arm for the Leinster penalty.

In his weekly column, Ronan O’Gara throws some light on Simon Zebo's much talked about move to France and reflects on an emotional clash with Munster.

Hear the one about the Kilkenny man who played for Munster? Or even better, about the Kilkenny GAA man who now works with Tipp GAA? Ian Dowling is a walking quiz question, but wherever he turns up, success seems to follow...

Duncan Williams delighted his fans and silenced his critics when helping to guide Munster to victory over Toulouse in Saturday’s European Champions Cup quarter-final at Thomond.

Scrum-half James Hart will have more than a passing interest in Munster’s clash with Toulouse as the side he will be joining in the summer battles it out in a Champions Cup quarter-final against the side he will face for Racing 92 in two weeks.

You get the impression from listening to Jaco Taute that the night before Munster meet Toulouse he might well be like an excited eight-year-old on Christmas Eve.

Do not tell Peter O’Mahony that Munster have regained a rightful place in the European quarter-finals this weekend, the Reds captain is adamant his side is fully deserving of their place in the Champion Cup knockout rounds.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says Scott Fardy’s experience will play a crucial role in the development of the academy players at the province. The 32-year-old versatile Brumbies lock will join Leinster after the Super Rugby season ends.

Scarlets claimed the scalp of Guinness PRO12 leaders Munster with a stunning 30-21 comeback win at Thomond Park.

Ronan O'Gara says Conor Murray is right to be peeved. 

CJ Stander says Anthony Foley is continuing to inspire Munster and the province’s players have vowed to do something special in Foley’s memory this season.

It perhaps should not be surprising that, given the digital age in which we live, Leicester Tigers’ plan to get revenge over Munster this weekend first took shape on WhatsApp.

As smash hit double acts go, European professional club rugby never saw anything quite like Anthony Foley and Munster.

Rugby country, Saturday afternoon. Population: 5,000. Probably less.

Heritage campaigners have called for action following the theft of information signs about one of the most important battlefield sites in Irish history.

Connacht lock Andrew Browne wants to end a decade of “bad memories” at Ravenhill in tonight’s Guinness Pro12 derby against Ulster.

“It is a little unusual for a rugby school to put its head above the parapet with soccer.”