ERC put Munster in ‘graveyard’ cup slot

There may have been a collective groan in Munster at the prospect of another Sunday lunchtime Heineken Cup kick-off, but the prospect of a final pool game with Edinburgh in the supposed graveyard shift was being viewed more optimistically within provincial headquarters.

While Munster’s crunch Pool 6 clash at Gloucester next month has been given top billing by broadcasters, the Irish province will have to play their final game at home to Edinburgh at 12:45pm on a Sunday.

Pool leaders Munster have a chance to secure a precious quarter-final spot in the penultimate round with a victory over nearest rivals Gloucester but they must face the Cherry & Whites in the white-hot atmosphere of their Kingsholm ground at 6pm on Saturday, January 11, the premier timeslot for maximum viewers on Sky Sports, after tournament organisers ERC released dates and kick-off times for the round five and six games yesterday.