Big guns back as Munster bid to build momentum

Anthony Foley’s bid to make home advantage finally count at Thomond Park tonight will not be hindered by the return of Munster big guns Paul O’Connell and Conor Murray as the Reds welcome Zebre to Limerick for Guinness Pro12 round three (7:30pm).

Having lost their opening league fixture of the season to Edinburgh a fortnight ago for a professional-era record-setting third successive Thomond Park defeat, Foley’s squad would be making unenviable history for the second home game in succession if they were to become the first Irish province to lose at home to this four-year-old Italian franchise tonight.

Yet the dismal start to the campaign has been eased by last week’s victory in Treviso and more distance from it will surely be gained this evening to repay the returning faithful who were forced to endure that desperate first-night loss to the Scots.