Duncan Casey: In depths of winter, you’re going to have to win ugly sometimes

You feel this might be his real window of opportunity for Ben Healy to stake his claim to become the owner of the Munster 10 jersey

When Jack O’Donoghue crashed over in the corner in the 58th minute, you had the sense the floodgates might open and the tries would start coming with more ease. To Castres’ credit, they stuck to their guns and continued to marshal well in defence. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

On Saturday night, I enjoyed the merriment of a European Cup night in Thomond Park for the first time since I left the club almost four years ago.

European nights in Thomond are special, and despite the fact there wasn’t the sellout crowd, you would hope to have greeting a travelling French side as they walk down the tunnel, the 21,000 or so fans that were there gave the players a good reminder of what it’s like to play in front of a vocal home support, in full swing.