Donal Lenihan: Michael Ala’alatoa the only bright spark for Munster on chastening night

This was just about the worst possible launchpad for a campaign of this calibre, but Munster are more than capable of responding against Gloucester at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The improvement which Michael Ala'alatoa brought to the Munster scrum was one of the few positive points from the Champions Cup defeat to Bath. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy

After five URC wins on the bounce to launch a great start to their season, Munster’s opening defeat against an unbeaten Stormers side that currently sits top of the domestic log was no disgrace.

The two aspects that stung most after that reversal, however, were the fact the game was played in Thomond Park and that Munster coughed up a commanding 21-6 lead after a highly impressive opening half.