The great escapes: History shows how dangerous Munster can be in adversity

History suggests when Munster’s backs are against the wall, just as they will be this Sunday at Wasps, it can produce some very special performances

Munster's John Kelly celebrates after scoring his sides 4th try in the last minute of the game against Gloucester in 2003. Picture: Pat Murphy

It has not always paid off for Munster when the chips have been down. The province’s rich heritage in European competition is littered with as many near-misses as marvels when it has come to the crunch and the call has gone out for the need to “go to the well”.

Yet a glance here at a selection of the successes over 26 seasons in the Heineken Champions Cup suggests that when Munster’s backs are against the wall, just as they will be this Sunday at Wasps, it can produce some very special performances.