Van Graan says Munster still believe in a dream

Munster 24 Ulster 24: Munster will head back to knockout rugby this weekend, their objective to get back on the bike after European disappointment accomplished but this draw reminding everyone in the province there is still plenty of road left to travel if they are to contend for the Guinness PRO14 title next month.

This encounter was for Munster more akin to the treacherous cobbles of Paris-Roubaix than the smooth, vineyard-lined lanes of Bordeaux but on a day when a draw felt like a win for the hosts - and the end of the road for the visitors - there were always going to be different expectations of this final round of the league campaign.

For Ulster, this was a crunch encounter, a last throw of the dice to reach the playoffs with a bonus-point victory and a hope that Conference B rivals Edinburgh would come unstuck against their old foes Glasgow. Failure to fulfil their own obligations on Saturday afternoon and the end would be nigh before the Scots went toe to toe later that evening.