Munster keen to avoid embarrassment at Zebre

Recent performances in the Heineken Cup excepted, it has been a poor campaign by Munster’s exalted standards and it will be a whole lot worse should they become the first team to lose to Zebre in their last match of the season at the Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma this evening.

The Italian franchise was established last summer to replace Aironi and have lost each of their 21 RaboDirect Pro 12 matches with a deficit of 280 and only nine bonus points to show for their endeavours.

Not that Munster themselves have much to brag about. Champions two years ago, they are currently back in sixth having won only 10 of their 21 games and are 23 points behind current leaders Ulster. Furthermore, they have not won an away game this year.