Munster need early Christmas bonus

DECLAN KIDNEY has been stressing all week how happy he would be to leave this evening’s Heineken Cup clash with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park (5.35pm) with four points.

Deep down, though, the Munster coach knows that failure to pick up a bonus point will almost certainly see Leicester Tigers reduce their lead at the top of Pool Four to three points given the powerful position they appear to be in when welcoming out of contention Bourgoin at Welford Road.

While one readily understands Kidney’s caution, it is perfectly clear that Leicester have by no means given up on qualifying for the knockout stages and that even fortress Thomond Park might not be sufficient to guarantee his side anything when they meet on January 20.