Donal Lenihan: Another brick in Graham Rowntree's red wall

It was Munster’s unrelenting commitment in defence and refusal to have their try line breached that saw them home in the end

TRY TIME: Munster’s Gavin Coombes on his way to scoring his second try at Franklin’s Gardens. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane

When it comes to Europe, Munster’s storied history in Heineken Cup rugby only serves to increase the pressure on the current crop of the province’s hopefuls. Those images of times past, with massive travelling hordes swelling the attendances at grounds all over England and France, continues to ratchet up the expectation levels wherever they go.

It may be approaching 15 years since Munster last won the Heineken Cup but the reflections of England international George Furbank, when interviewed during the week in advance of this contest, confirmed that the lore and attraction surrounding a visit from the former champions still has the capacity to elicit a special response from opponents far and wide.