Lunchtime crunch now an advantage, says Ryan

It’s ironic for Munster. Playing Heineken Cup games on Sunday at 12.45pm is seen as the graveyard shift.

The television-dictated time reduces the influence of the crowd and usually makes for a duller affair. When Munster were chosen for two back-to-back games to end their Heineken Cup campaign the news was greeted with dread from players and supporters alike. But now Donnacha Ryan can see the benefit of it.

As the race to secure the remaining quarter-final spots heightens, Munster’s main rivals for qualification play tomorrow giving Ryan and colleagues full knowledge of what they have to do against Racing to qualify.