Conor Murray: ‘Strong start [by Munster] would give us extra belief’

Conor Murray will be looking for Munster to turn the tables on Clermont Auvergne in France on Sunday by hitting them with the sort of fast start at Stade Marcel Michelin that undid his own side at Thomond Park last Saturday.

Ireland and Lions scrum-half Murray saw opposite number Ludovic Radoslavjevic engineer a first-minute try for Clermont with a clever box kick into space in Limerick that put Munster on the back foot for the rest of the game, resulting in a first defeat on home soil to a French side in 19 seasons of European competition.

The 16-9 defeat ups the ante for Munster as they prepare for the return pool fixture this weekend in a stadium Clermont have turned into a fortress over the past six years, but Murray believes a strong opening from his side would be a major psychological boost for the visitors.