Munster will refocus for Edinburgh clash, says CJ Stander

From one do-or-die scenario to the next, knockout rugby returns to Thomond Park on Saturday as Munster aim to put their Champions Cup semi-final exit behind them and return to the Guinness PRO14 title bid.

The visit of Edinburgh to Limerick this weekend will sharpen that focus but recovery from a disappointing exit in European competition is easier said than done. In his six seasons as a Munster player CJ Stander has grown accustomed to the mental battle of rebounding from adversity and has fine-tuned the process of making peace with defeats in big games at the business end of campaigns.

The Ireland No. 8 has also made a point of reminding himself about the pain of previous setbacks, not only the loss to Racing 92 in Bordeaux but also the memories of not even reaching the knockout stages in either Europe or the league, as was the case as recently as 2015-16.