Gerbrandt Grobler furore is a problem of Munster’s making

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) officials, including board chairman and former England international Simon Halliday, congregated in the tunnel outside the palatial dressing rooms at the U Arena and had every reason to be pleased with themselves.

We had just witnessed a fascinating contest between Racing 92 and Munster, played out in surreal surroundings, in a game that ebbed and flowed from the outset, with the outcome in doubt up to the final whistle.

After five rounds and 49 games spread over the five pools — the final clash of the round was still to be played between Castres and Leicester at that stage — only one team, Leinster, had secured a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.