'Thomond Park, full or empty, is always going to be a very difficult place to go'

Munster's Simon Zebo with Chris Ashton of Toulon in the 2018 Champions Cup quarter-final. Ashton returns to Thomond this weekend and will be up against Zebo in round 2 when Harlequins face Racing. Picture: INPHO/Gary Carr

It's almost 11 years since Chris Ashton first experienced Thomond Park.

A convert from rugby league where he played for the Wigan Warrriors, the free-scoring Ashton touched down twice as the Northampton Saints beat Munster at Franklin's Gardens in the tournament opener in the 2009/10 season.