Van Graan remains wary of a bite in the dark

Johann van Graan always felt Munster’s Heineken Champions Cup pool would go down to the wire and the weekend’s results have ensured this Saturday’s finale against Exeter Chiefs will be winner-takes-all at Thomond Park.

Munster’s bonus-point win at Gloucester on Friday allowed the province to reclaim control of Pool 2 on 17 points with one game left but head coach van Graan knew the job would still need finishing and Exeter’s bonus-point victory at home to Castres yesterday served a timely reminder that progression to the quarter-finals was not yet a done deal.