If defence wins trophies, Munster are in a good place

It will be Sunday evening before we know for sure which two of the four sides left standing in this season’s Champions Cup got their preparations spot on for the semi-finals, but at this juncture it would be a surprise, notwithstanding they are playing in France, if Munster isn’t one of them.

Of the four semi-finalists, Munster were the only ones to emerge triumphant from their domestic league game last weekend, despite the fact they were performing 8,500 miles away from home and playing at 5,000 feet above sea level in Bloemfontein.

Scarlets and Racing 92, both fielding understrength sides, were beaten by embarrassing margins, while Leinster suffered their first ever defeat in Dublin in 18 attempts against Italian opposition to an improving Benetton side.