Too much at stake with Munster for Stephen Archer to start thinking about retirement yet

"It's a good distraction, no time for thinking about your lasts, your firsts when there's stakes like that,” Archer said.

Munster’s Stephen Archer with his son Alex after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

As distractions go, they could be less stressful than two must-win games to keep Munster’s season alive but high stakes rugby is the perfect antidote to intrusive thoughts of final farewells for the soon to retire Stephen Archer.

Munster’s record appearance maker will call time on a 18-year professional playing career when the current season ends, with this Friday’s penultimate game of the regular URC season the 37-year-old tighthead prop’s 302nd provincial cap.