A Munster great escape unlikely, but more positive steps must be taken

An unlikely progress to the last eight aside, Munster have plenty of points to prove when they complete their Champions Cup pool campaign at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo today.

As the scenario on this page hopefully clarifies, qualification as one of three best runners-up across five pools remains a long shot dependent on seven other European ties going Munster’s way this weekend and is wholly reliant on Anthony Foley’s team delivering a bonus-point victory at Treviso.

As recently as 12 days ago, after Munster limped home from Paris following that dreadful performance and humiliating 27-7 defeat to 14-man Stade Francais, even a four-try victory over Treviso, without a win in 11 months, seemed far-fetched, let alone reaching the quarter-finals.