Flat start to Heineken Cup assault

AS opening salvos go, it proved a very disappointing weekend for the Irish in Europe.

At the outset, the only certainty appeared to be Ulster’s home clash against Italian side Benetton Treviso, and so it proved. By securing a bonus point, the northerners achieved their most positive start to the competition in years. For Munster and Leinster, however, frustration was the order of the day.

It was not the start Munster would have hoped for but not entirely unexpected in the circumstances. After winning Europe’s second grade competition on two occasions, the Manchester outfit have loftier ambitions. While there is no denying Sale deserved their victory, Munster were unfortunate not to have secured at least a bonus point.