Munster need midfield punch

PUT any spin you like on this but unless Munster immediately perk up their level of performance by a good 20%, the dream of winning the Heineken European Cup after six years of constant disappointment will end up on the rubbish heap.

Harlequins, to be fair, toughed it out at Thomond Park on Saturday and were as dogged as their former captain Keith Wood predicted they would be. But they are a very limited side and having offered Munster the benefit of the wind and rain after winning the toss, should have been blown out of sight by the half time whistle.

Anthony Horgan and Denis Leamy underlined their current well-being with beautifully taken tries but there should have been at least as many more by the break. The anticipated bonus point didn't accrue in spite of a host of opportunities opening up and who knows how costly that could be at the end of the pool stage.