Munster continue to confound logic and their critics

AFTER the drama of Friday night when Gloucester and Connacht turned form and expectations on its head by beating Toulouse and Harlequins in Pool 6, you sensed it was going to be one of those dramatic Heineken Cup weekends.

Yet nothing could have prepared us for the magnificence of Munster’s performance in Milton Keynes and the manner in which they demolished the challenge of the English Premiership side in a remarkable second half. Scoring tries has been an issue for Munster all season. In the five pool games prior to Saturday they had registered just nine.

Then from nowhere the opportunities they had been frustratingly spurning to date were being converted in spectacular fashion. To score five against a Northampton side who made no secret of the fact that they were thirsting for revenge after Thomond Park was incredible. Perhaps with four wins from five against this Saints outfit in recent seasons, their coach Jim Mallinder may finally have to accept that Munster are the better side.