Proven pedigree an asset on the biggest stages

This past week, I was speaking to a well-known journalist with a keen interest in all sports, including golf and soccer. I remarked to him how surprised I was at the manner of Manchester City’s first-leg defeat by Liverpool in the Champions League, despite their Premier League dominance all season, writes John McHenry.

“Why, Liverpool, much like Munster Rugby, have a proven pedigree when it comes to competing in European Cups,” he said.

It is part of their DNA and any player competing for those clubs on a European stage have an expectation to succeed, regardless of the higher-profile or indeed wealth of the opposition.