Peter Jackson: At least CJ Stander remained standing to the bitter end

“I’m going to miss this place,” said Stander, looking round at the empty Thomond Park stands through watery eyes. Not as much as they are going to miss him

CJ Stander receives his 50th Champions Cup cap after Munster’s exit at the hands of Toulouse on Saturday. Picture: Dan Sheridan

When the end came, at least CJ Stander got to walk off on his own two feet, a luxury not always afforded to five-star Munster generals or global superstars.

At least the gods granted him the small mercy of standing toe to toe against superior opponents and trading blow for blow, standing up and fighting like hell until the final bell rang, tolling the death knell on his last European campaign. Toulouse were simply too good.