Patience key to a bonus for Munster

NINE years after they first contested a Heineken European Cup match at Thomond Park, Munster again put their amazing record at the venue on the line this afternoon when they face Bourgoin.

Back in the 1995/'96 season, Munster defeated Swansea by 17-13 in their first game. The number of matches they have now played at their Limerick fortress has risen to fifteen. They have won them all.

In doing so they have, totalled 502 points and conceded 207. That magnificent record now goes on the line once more when, nothing less than a win with a bonus point over Bourgoin will suffice to gain home advantage for the quarter-finals.