Murray out to exorcise the ghosts of 2011

Just two seasons ago, when Conor O’Shea’s side inflicted a 20-12 Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final victory at Thomond Park over Tony McGahan’s outfit, Munster called on Denis Leamy and David Wallace, Paul Warwick and Lifeimi Mafi, while Tony Buckley started at tighthead, Mick O’Driscoll was in the second row and the bench numbered John Hayes, Peter Stringer and Sam Tuitupou.

All, of course, including McGahan, have since departed as Munster have undergone not so much transition as revolution in the intervening period but by contrast, if O’Shea was so disposed ahead of Sunday’s rematch in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, he could field 14 of the XV who started that game in Limerick.