Smith: Senior players need to step up

Andrew Smith believes the absence of Munster’s Ireland contingent for the next month means it is up to the remaining seniors in the squad to maintain the intensity levels set over the last four games.

An unbeaten run in October has seen Munster move into the top four of the Guinness Pro12 with wins over Leinster and Scarlets and top their Champions Cup pool after beating Sale Sharks and Saracens.

November will begin with aresumption of league action tomorrow against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park but Munster travel to the Welsh capital without 10 front-line players who are in the Ireland Test squad.