Munster frailties could be exposed

ALL rational thinking suggests that only the Thomond Park factor can save Munster from a second Heineken Cup defeat at the venue when Northampton Saints come calling on Saturday.

Whereas Munster have lost their last three RaboDirect league games and are badly hit by injury, retirements and a recruitment failure to fill problem positions, the Saints are marching along very nicely since the return of their World Cup contingent, a fact underlined by their 24-13 away win over London Wasps on Sunday.

Having allowed Paul Warwick to slip away to Stade Francais during the close season, the last thing Tony McGahan needed was yet another long-term injury to afflict Felix Jones.