Digging in for the long haul

WHEN THEY reflect on yesterday’s performance in Cardiff, Munster will derive satisfaction from winning a game away from home without ever reaching the heights that secured the Heineken Cup less than 50 yards away in the Millennium Stadium.

Not only does this victory equal Leicester’s achievement of winning 11 consecutive games in this tournament, including a record six away victories, it also saw them dispose of a Cardiff challenge at the fourth time of asking.

Elsewhere at the weekend, Leinster atoned for disappointment against Edinburgh with a performance of character in disposing of Agen on Saturday. Alas for Ulster, their quest to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1999 looks a lost cause now. To have any hope of success in this competition you must be able to grind out wins on the road. This seems to be beyond Ulster at present.