New team, new start, but familiar objectives for Munster

Thomond Park will witness the birth of another European campaign this evening as the stadium lights go up to usher in the latest incarnation of a Munster side never more determined to leave the past behind and look with optimism towards a bright future.

Munster knew the day would come when they would have to march into Europe behind someone other than Paul O’Connell.

They had planned and hoped they would at least have his natural successor as captain, Peter O’Mahony, in place to take up the charge. But it is nevertheless a fresh and ambitious outfit being sent out by head coach Anthony Foley against Benetton Treviso today that has made no secret of its collective desire to forge a path of its own in the Champions Cup this season.