Beirne: Europe is part of Munster's identity. Missing out would have been difficult

The Ireland lock was relieved to put pressure of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup to bed.

Munster's Tadhg Beirne celebrates after the win over Benetton with Conor Murray. Pic: Laszlo Geczo, Inpho

Tadhg Beirne switched from escape artist to trophy hunter as the Munster captain looked ahead to the URC play-offs with the pressure of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup happily put to bed.

The Ireland lock has plenty to look forward to this summer as he looks forward to his second British & Irish Lions tour having been named in Andy Farrell’s squad for the Australia tour but there were more pressing matters to attend first and securing a place in Europe’s elite club competition for 2025-26 was the priority last Friday night in Cork as he led Munster to 30-21 victory over Benetton and up the final standings to sixth. That is good enough for a place in the Champions Cup pool draw and this season’s URC knockout rounds, sealed with back-to-back bonus-point wins at home to Ulster and Benetton after starting elimination in the face following consecutive losses to Bordeaux-Begles (in the Champions Cup), the Bulls and Cardiff.