Last chance saloon as Munster look to get back on track

SINCE first competing in Europe, Munster have lost their opening game on only one occasion. Back in 1997 they went down 48-40 to Harlequins at The Stoop. They failed to emerge from their group and were eliminated before the knock-out stages.

That was clearly a lesson well learned. In subsequent seasons, they went on to overcome Padova, Pontypridd, Newport and Castres in the first match on the way to reaching, at the very least, the quarter-finals. Today, having lost to Gloucester, they find themselves in a virtual last chance saloon as they take on Perpignan in front of a full house of 11,900 at Thomond Park. Five years ago, Munster had a chance to redeem themselves when Cardiff came to Musgrave Park for the second game.

Again, Munster were beaten, this time by 43-23.