Munster's glass of self-belief remains half-full, not half-empty 

The probable returns of Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray following enforced player welfare breaks for the Leinster game have been offset by an overworked treatment room.

REMAINING UPBEAT: John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The odds may be stacking up against Munster as they brace for a challenging start to 2024 but John Hodnett believes the province’s innate resilience and a rock-solid belief in their abilities can keep the show on the road.

That road will take Graham Rowntree’s URC champions to Galway on New Year’s Day this Monday and a testing interprovincial league derby with Connacht. with the head coach set to name a much-changed matchday squad at noon today from the one beaten by Leinster on St Stephen’s Day.