Graft and guile earn some festive cheer for Munster

THREE wins in a row and a one-point lead at the top of Pool Five of the Heineken Cup with four matches played.

It’s little wonder, then, that Declan Kidney and his squad of Munster players will enjoy the festive period before getting down to the two excruciatingly difficult games next month which will decide whether the side qualifies for the quarter-finals for the 10th successive year.

With Doug Howlett due to arrive within the next fortnight and competition for places ever greater with the return from injury of Paul O’Connell and Alan Quinlan and the emergence of Donncha Ryan as a formidable operator at this high level, morale is sky high after yesterday’s completion of that rugby rarity — back to back wins over the proud Llanelli Scarlets.