Five more European debutants the primary positive for blunt Munster

It was the experienced aces like de Allende, Farrell and the normally flawless Earls who will have reason to look back on their skill execution with disappointment

FLY KICK: Munster rookie Patrick Campbell clears downfield despite pressure from Castres' Pierre Aguillon on Saturday at Thomond Park. 

This was bordering on sporting cruelty. Thomond Park welcomed its biggest crowd since the first Coronavirus lockdown in March 2020, reminding all present of what great Heineken Cup nights in Limerick looked and sounded like, even if this outing didn't quite live up to expectations.

Next week, Munster will take to the hallowed turf again, this time to a muted audience of 5,000 as they welcome Leinster for the traditional St Stephen's Dday joust. Given the emotional rollercoaster ride Munster have endured over the last two months, the players will just take the latest setback in relation to crowd restrictions in their stride.