Loyalty money can’t buy

DONNCHA O’Callaghan is under no illusions about the size of the task facing Munster and the province’s supporters at Thomond Park.

Toulon, the rich young pretenders to the European rugby aristocracy visit Limerick this afternoon looking to take down one of the staunchest members of the Heineken Cup establishment and after an opening pool three defeat to London Irish last weekend, O’Callaghan has taken to the barricades.

Clearly stung by back-to-back defeats on the road, to Leinster in the Magners League and then last Saturday’s Heineken Cup loss at the Madejski Stadium, the Ireland and Lions lock is seeking home comforts and some fervent support at a sold-out Thomond Park as Munster bid to keep their European campaign on track with an essential victory.