Battle is lost, but Red Army can return and win the war

MUNSTER have done it before and they'll do it again, insisted coach Alan Gaffney yesterday, as he struggled to overcome the huge disappointment of Sunday's defeat by London Wasps at Lansdowne Road.

Five times semi-finalists, twice finalists, and still no silverware.

Gaffney, who will be in the job for at least another season, must take stock. He will surely chase the IRFU for a substantial portion of the cash his side has generated this season, with the full-house crowds at Thomond Park for the pool stages and quarter-final, followed by Sunday's amazing turnout at Lansdowne Road.