Munster victory a defiant message to pretenders

DESPITE the fact that over an hour had passed since the final whistle, I sat in splendid isolation at the back of the main stand at Welford Road. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a lone Munster supporter, sneaking on to the hallowed turf to place a large red flag in the centre of the pitch. As it blew proudly in the wind, the message was clear. The Munster machine, both on and off the pitch, was not yet ready to concede one inch in this magnificent tournament.

Of the opening 12 Heineken Cup games, Munster’s victory was the most significant. Diminished hunger can quickly follow success. Not with this group, however. Paul O’Connell’s men, in the face of the most physical test of all, have announced to the rest of Europe that their title will not be easily relinquished.