Duncan Casey: Far from being passengers, Munster's young guns took a leading role

I was also thrust into my debut in messy fashion. Our first lineout session that week didn’t do anything to settle my nerves. Between us, Damian Varley and I couldn’t hit a barn door, and the ire this drew from Paul O’Connell only served to heighten my anxiety

"I’d say Scott Buckley could scarcely believe how his Sunday was panning out as he sauntered over the Wasps line untouched to secure a bonus-point win for Munster," writes Duncan Casey. "I’m sure the elation on his face as his team-mates swarmed him in celebration was as infectious for everyone else watching as it was for me." Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

That went rather well, didn’t it? I’d say Scott Buckley could scarcely believe how his Sunday was panning out as he sauntered over the Wasps line untouched to secure a bonus-point win for Munster. I’m sure the elation on his face as his team-mates swarmed him in celebration was as infectious for everyone else watching as it was for me.

A smile beamed from one of my sizeable ears to the other in the realisation that the job was done — they had pulled it out of the bag, big time.