O'Donoghue understands the effect adversity will have on Cardiff psyche

There is also the added motivation, which Munster back-rower Jack O’Donoghue detects in the Cardiff psyche, of the recent turmoil behind the scenes at the Welsh capital club.

MAXIMUM POINTS: There is also the added motivation, which Munster back-rower Jack O’Donoghue detects in the Cardiff psyche, of the recent turmoil behind the scenes at the Welsh capital club, having been taken over by the home union after entering administration. Pic:  David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

It will be an emotional Cardiff Arms Park which Munster enters on Friday night, making the province’s bid to rescue a difficult campaign even more challenging as the hunt for URC play-off places reaches a critical juncture.

A final home game of the season for sixth-placed Cardiff ahead of a challenging final two rounds in South Africa means Matt Sherratt’s side need maximum points this weekend to give themselves the best chance of hanging on to the top-eight finish and a place in the knockout rounds that both home and away dressing rooms are on a mission to secure.