A day Munster didn’t get the reward they deserved

If you’re of the glass half full variety — it is the festive season after all — then with three games left in Pool 4 and 15 points still on offer, Munster will attempt to convince anyone prepared to listen it is still mathematically possible to qualify for the knockout stage as a best runner up.
With consecutive encounters against Stade Francais to come in January, that may have a slightly delusional feel to it but after their best performance of the season to date, Munster just have to keep on battling. After a fourth Pool 5 defeat on the bounce, Leinster don’t even have that to cling onto. Anthony Foley must feel the world is against him with the news Donnchadh Ryan was forced to withdraw a few hours before kickoff yesterday due to illness. On the back of losing BJ Botha earlier in the week due to a second concussion in a month, the withdrawal of another experienced international from the key front five battle was the last thing Munster needed.