Munster fancy the heat in the kitchen more than most

With Munster one of six teams, along with Ulster, already through to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup with a game to spare, the focus now for Rob Penney’s men is to secure that all-important home quarter-final.

Their lunchtime kick-off next Sunday should offer Munster a clear idea of what is required but, by my reckoning, they could be playing for the final home quarter-final at best by that stage — and 23 points from their Pool 6 may not be enough.

Leinster also showed remarkable character yesterday to recover from a 14 point deficit to win in incredibly demanding circumstances against reigning French champions in Castres. A losing bonus point at home against the Ospreys next Friday night will be sufficient to see them through to the quarter-finals but even a maximum return of five points from a bonus point win looks like being insufficient to get them a home quarter-final.