Stander gathers plus points for Thomond decider

CJ Stander insists there will be plenty of plus points for Munster to take into Sunday’s must-win Champions Cup pool finale with Castres, despite defeat to Racing 92 in Paris.

Munster lost 34-30 at the U Arena last Sunday and although there was great disappointment in the visitors’ dressing room after a helter-skelter game the province had led 30-28 with six minutes to go, they returned from the French capital with a losing bonus point and the knowledge they still lead Pool 4 with one game remaining.

They face a Castres side whose own qualification hopes have been resurrected by a 39-0 thumping of Leicester Tigers.