The need to succeed

THE opening Heineken Cup defeat to Sale has Munster on the back foot ahead of today’s must-win clash with Castres — something the players are acutely aware of, full-back Shaun Payne tells Declan Colley.

IF TALENT, as the saying goes, is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple, then Shaun Payne has it made.

By common consensus, the South African is the single best import to have joined Munster in recent years. His often uncanny vision, his ability to attack and defend with equal tenacity and his sheer versatility have made him a crowd favourite; while his self-effacing nature, honesty and good humour have also endeared him to the press pack. He's a no-bullshit sort of guy.