Anthony Foley factor has Ian Keatley firing again

Connacht 9 Munster 16: It’s been a traumatic year for Munster and nothing they will do on the field is going to change that, but they signed off on 2016 in the best possible fashion on a foul night in Galway to remain top of the PRO12.

The fact their win, the only away victory achieved by any of the four provinces in the festive derby matches, was achieved with their Irish stars being rested adds another layer to the mountain of optimism and positivity building for Munster.

We will never know if this run of form would have been achieved in any event, or how much of it is being driven by the shock death of Anthony Foley in October.