Munster must stay true to who they are in new European landscape

The problem with being a market leader for so long is that expectation levels are always set at ceiling height. Munster have been a good news story for European rugby ever since that shattering defeat to Northampton in the 2000 Heineken Cup final.

There was something about the reaction of the Munster supporters in defeat that day that captured the imagination. Despite their obvious disappointment, they stayed and clapped the Saints on their lap of honour before offering a heartwarming rendition of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ for their own vanquished heroes. That resonated with rugby fans everywhere. Overnight, Munster became the second team of rugby fans across Europe.

I still recall the reaction of Welsh holidaymakers, streaming through the arrivals gate at Cardiff Airport on the evening Munster finally captured the Heineken Cup at the Millennium Stadium. “How did ye get on today?” they enquired. We won. “Ah, bloody marvellous.” Indeed it was.