Munster, who like the other Irish provinces had already qualified for the business end of  the competition prior to today’s game, produced a dominant performance against the English Premiership Rugby side.

Murray opens the scoring

Conor Murray opened the scoring in usual circumstances. With Munster dominant in possession in the opening stages of the game, Wasps knocked the ball back to Murray when attempting to prevent Tadhg Beirne receiving possession. With many of the visitors believing Beirne had knocked the ball on, some stopped playing as Murray touched down.

The TMO was called into action, with the referee deciding, Beirne hadn’t knocked on when he consulted his officials and viewed the TV footage. Ben Healy added the extras to give the hosts a 7-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the fixture.

With constant pressure from Munster, Wasps could not withstand the Munster effort and soon conceded a penalty. Healy opted to kick for the posts to extend his team’s advantage to 10-0.

Zebo now Munster’s highest try-scorer in Champions Cup

A deftly chipped through ball from Healy saw Simon Zebo, who was named in the starting team in place of Keith Earls, collect the ball and fight to touch down for his side’s second five-pointer of the afternoon, the first of two on the day for the former Racing 92 man.

The score saw the Corkman join Brian O’Driscoll as the third-highest try-scorer in Heineken Champions Cup history, and surpass the late Anthony Foley as Munster’s top try-scorer in the competition with 24 – it would become 25 later in the day. Ben Healy maintained his 100% record kicking for the posts by converting for 17-0 with less than 20 minutes on the clock.

ZEBO! ZEBO! ZEBO!

Simon Zebo becomes @Munsterrugby‘s top European try scorer, surpassing the late great Axel Foley

Look at what it means! #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/Ce5cw9soLe

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Dan Robson finally got the Premiership club on the scoreboard when touching down right of the Munster posts in the 26th minute. With Charlie Atkinson adding the conversion, Wasps’ delight was short-lived as Munster immediately headed downfield.

O’Donoghue try on 150th appearance in red

With Wasps scrambling to get back into position, Gavin Coombes burst through the Premiership Rugby side’s defensive effort, before Jack O’Donoghue, on his 150th appearance in red, scored his side’s third try of the afternoon. The reliable Healy kicked the two points for a 24-7 lead with only 30 minutes played.

Gavin Coombes what a carry!

Charlie Atkinson bounces off Coombs who blasts his way past the Wasps defence, setting it nicely for Jack O’Donoghue to finish for @Munsterrugby #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/olJv9DF3J0

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 23, 2022

Gavin Coombes paid the price for constant Munster infringements when yellow-carded minutes before half-time. With Wasps nestled on the Munster line, the home side were penalised a number of times before Coombes was sent to the bin.

With Johann van Graan’s men missing the powerful Coombes, Wasps would have expected to cross the line, but incredible defensive work from the men in red saw them hold out with the referee eventually awarding them a penalty, which relieved the pressure.

A neck injury for Wasps’ Thomas Young saw the player treated on the field with the game stopped for 10 minutes, before being stretchered off to respectful applause from the crowd. The back-row was replaced by Ben Morris.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 24  Wasps Rugby 7

Loughman secures bonus-point try

Prop Jeremy Loughman, named in the starting team earlier in the day when Dave Kilcoyne was sick, scored his first Champions Cup try within the opening minute of the second half.

Munster, who had a penalty kick, opted for the line-out and despite the absence of Coombes, who was still in the sin-bin, the men in red powerfully drove for the try-scoring line, before Loughman crashed over.

With the bonus-point try now secured, Ben Healy added another two points to the score board, which read 31-7 in favour of Munster, with 46 minutes on the stadium game clock.

As both sides emptied their benches, an action that took the continuity and flow out of the game, it didn’t prevent Munster striking for two further tries late in the game.

Simon Zebo scored a second try to the cheers of the Munster faithful, before Rory Scannell claimed a five-pointer with the clock in red. Both scores were converted by Jack Crowley, leaving Johann van Graan’s side 45-7 victors.

Today’s game gave more valuable Champions Cup experience to some of Munster’s younger players, while veteran of 150 appearances in red, Jack O’Donoghue was named Heineken Star of the Match. The Waterford man, at 27 years of age, becomes the youngest Munster player to reach the 150 milestone.

Final score: Munster Rugby 45  Wasps Rugby 7

Munster Rugby:

15. Mike Haley, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Munster Replacements:

16. Scott Buckley, 17. John Wycherley, 18. John Ryan, 19. Fineen Wycherley, 20. John Hodnett, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Alex Kendellen.

Try: Murray, Zebo (2), O’Donoghue, Loughman, R Scannell

Conversion: Healy 4, Crowley (2)

Pen: Healy

Wasps:

15. Ali Crossdale, 14. Marcus Watson. 13. Paolo Odogwu, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Josh Bassett, 10. Charlie Atkinson, 9. Dan Robson.

1. Tom West, 2. Tom Cruse, 3. Elliot Millar-Mills, 4. Elliott Stooke, 5. James Gaskell, 6. Brad Shields (captain), 7. Thomas Young, 8. Nizaam Carr.

Wasps Replacements:

16. Gabriel Oghre, 17, Rodrigo Martinez, 18. Pieter Scholtz, 19. Tim Cardall, 20. Ben Morris, 21. Will Porter, 22. Rob Miller, 23. Sam Spink.

Try: Robson.

Conversion: Atkinson.

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Munster Rugby began both their new season and the newly-organised United Rugby Championship with a comfortable win on Saturday night.

Johann van Graan’s side achieved the bonus-point against South African side Cell C Sharks at Thomond Park, running out 42-17 winners.

Gavin Coombes touched down for a brace, Craig Casey and Chris Cloete also scored a five-pointer, but the returning Simon Zebo will make many of the headlines as the Corkman added to his Munster try-scoring tally with his own brace of tries.

Zebo returns with an early try

Zebo picked up a loose ball on the wing and sprinted to the line for a try after just six minutes of the encounter. This followed early chants of  “Zebo, Zebo” from the Munster fans lucky enough to be present in Limerick this evening.

Zebo, back at Thomond Park following two years in exile in France, had predicted earlier this week that he would score early in the opening fixture of the season. He was as good as his word!

ZEEBS IS BACK

It just had to be him as @Munsterrugby get their first score of the URC. #URC | #MUNSHA pic.twitter.com/yXoLreUkk5

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 25, 2021

During the first 20 minutes of the opening half, the visitors dominated both territory and possession with the hosts achieving only just over 25% of the former and had slightly better than 40% of the latter.

Despite a sustained five minutes of Munster pressure deep in the Sharks’ territory, the South African outfit withstood the pressure which included a number of red mauls, but van Graan’s men failed to cross the try-scoring line during that time.

With continued Munster pressure and successive penalties given against the Cell C Sharks, Joey Carbery took advantage of his opposition’s tendency to commit fouls by successfully kicking a penalty, giving his side an 8-0 lead coming to the half-hour mark.

Fullback Bosch reduced the deficit to five points when successfully kicking a penalty, while his side had du Toit in the sin bin.

Impressive Casey scores second try

Munster soon took advantage of the extra man as Craig Casey picked the ball off an attacking ruck to dive over for his team’s second five-pointer of the new United Rugby Championship; Joey Carbery, however, failed to add the extras.

As the clock headed into red at the end of the opening 40 minutes, Munster ignored the opportunity to head to the dressing room and instead decided to keep the ball in play. This  decision paid a rich dividend for the southern province as they soon had try number three on the board.

Good Munster lead at the break

Niall Scannell took a pick and go, driving towards the line before the ever-powerful Gavin Coombes touched down for the Munstermen. Joey Carbery was more accurate kicking for the posts on this occasion and added the two points for a 20-3 lead at the break.

The final play of the first half sees Gavin Coombes claim Munster’s third try of the game #RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSHA

Watch live – https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB

Live updates – https://t.co/lfHCGRGbhj pic.twitter.com/KMRWR4suNT

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 25, 2021

Half-time: Munster Rugby 20  Cell C Sharks 3.

The home side could have achieved their bonus point early in the second period as an Andrew Conway break along the East Stand side of the Thomond Park turf saw the speedster get within yards of the Sharks’ line. Despite the back up of numerous team mates the men in red couldn’t get in for the score, eventually being penalised and allowing the defending side to relieve the pressure.

The bonus was soon secured as Gavin Coombes achieved a brace of tries on the night, before Carbery made put another two to the scoreboard, pushing Munster out to a 27-3 lead with half an hour to play.

Just when it looked as though Munster might increase their advantage, a long Joey Carbery pass was brilliantly intercepted by Boeta Chamberlain, who showed his pace as he quickly raced to touch down for his side’s maiden try in the United Rugby Championship. The Sharks made it a seven-pointer as they converted to reduce Munster’s lead to 17 points.

Carbery’s replacement Ben Healy kicked a huge 50 metre penalty on 68 minutes to extend his side’s lead. Despite not taking much time over the ball, Healy comfortably dissected the posts.

Munster replacement Ben Healy lands a penalty from halfway…with a bit to spare! #RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSHA

Watch live – https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB

Live updates – https://t.co/lfHCGRGbhj pic.twitter.com/FyIvCkmmIA

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 25, 2021

The visitors despite now facing a twenty-point deficit maintained their effort and were duly rewarded when winger Yaw Penxe claimed a try, and with a successful Bosch conversion, the Sharks came to within 13 points of Munster.

The home side finished the first half strongly and did likewise in the second, firstly with a try from Cloete and then another from Zebo. With one of the final two tries converted by Ben Healy, Munster ran out 42-17 winners.

The hosts get the W @Munsterrugby run out 42-17 winners over @SharksRugby at Thomond Park.

What a day of rugby we've had!#URC | #MUNSHA pic.twitter.com/DRtrAdwk26

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 25, 2021

Full-time score: Munster Rugby 42 Cell C Sharks 17

Munster Team:

15. M. Haley, 14. A. Conway, 13. D. Goggin, 12. R. Scannell, 11. S. Zebo, 10. J. Carbery, 9. C. Casey.

1. D. Kilcoyne, 2. N. Scannell, 3. J. Ryan, 4. J. Kleyn, 5. F. Wycherley, 6. P. O’Mahony (c), 7. J. O’Donoghue, 8. Coombes.

Munster Replacements

16. D. Barron, 17. J. Loughman, 18. K. Knox, 19. RG Synam, 20. T. Aherne, 21. R. Osborne, 22. B. Healy, 23. C. Cloete.

Cell C Sharks Team

15. C. Bosch, 14. Y. Penxe, 13. W. Kok, 12. M. Louw, 11. T. Abrahams, 10. B. Chamberlain, 9. R. Pienaar.

1. K. Mona, 2. K van Vuuren, 3. T. du Toit, 4. Le Roux Roets, 5. G. Grobler, 6. D. Richardson, 7. H. Venter, 8. P. Buthelezi.

Cell C Sharks Replacements

16. F. Mbatha, 17. N. McHunu, 18. K. McHunu, 19. C. Gumede, 20. R. van Heerden, 21. H. Andrews, 22. S. Nohamba, 23. J. Ward.

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A one-club man, O’Donnell has made 186 Munster appearances since his debut in 2007. Her also earned 13 caps for Ireland.

He was named Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Player of the Year in 2009. Four years later, he was Munster Rugby’s Player of the Year. O’Donnell also featured in two 6 Nations-winning campaigns for Ireland.

“The greatest honour and privilege”

O’Donnell, who turns 34 next month, said of his decision:

“It has been the greatest honour and privilege to represent Munster Rugby for the past 14 seasons. I feel it is the right time for me and my family to step away from rugby.

“I’m proud to know that I will retire as a one-club man. I am confident and content in my decision. I have chased the dream from the age of 16 through the youths, underage and academy systems to represent Munster and Ireland.

“While it is not the end just yet and I’m very much looking forward to contributing to the team in the final part of the season. I felt the time was right to make my intentions to retire known.

A product of Clanwilliam FC, O’Donnell lined out for UL Bohs in the AIL. He made his Munster debut against Scarlets in 2007 as a 20-year-old Academy player.

He was part of the Ireland U20 Grand Slam-winning team of 2007. The Tipperary man was named Academy Player of the Year in 2009. He featured in Munster’s famous win over Australia at Thomond Park in 2010. The 2011-12 season saw O’Donnell establish his place in the back-row and he won the Munster Player of the Year award in 2013.

His rise continued with a first Irish cap against the USA in June 2013 and he played in Emerging Ireland’s 2014 Nations Cup-winning campaign.

O’Donnell made his Six Nations debut against Scotland in 2014. He went on to contribute in both Championship-winning campaigns in 2014 and 2015.

Tommy O’Donnell suffering his share of injury setbacks over the seasons. His most notable was arguably a hip dislocation that kept him out of contention for the 2015 World Cup.

As a first time captain, he led Munster to victory in their historic win over the Maori All Blacks in November 2016. In 2017, he made his 150th appearance for Munster in a game against Racing 92.

Tribute from Johann van Graan

Head Coach Johann van Graan added of Tommy O’Donnell:

“Tommy has been a brilliant player for Munster Rugby and has made a massive contribution to this club, always giving 100% in every situation.

“A fantastic man on and off the field, he is a real leader and a hugely positive influence on the group. “To play at such a high level for 14 seasons is a testament to his quality, his determination and his resilience.

“A one-club man. I can only thank Tommy for everything he has done for Munster but he still has a part to play for the remainder of the season.”

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Ireland international Peter O’Mahony misses out due to the thigh laceration he sustained in last weekend’s game against Leinster. Fineen Wycherley has rehabbed the neck injury he sustained against Scarlets and is included in the match-day squad.

CJ Stander will captain the side at number 8 on his 50th Champions Cup appearance for the province.

There are three changes to the side that started the Guinness PRO14 final in Dublin against Leinster and they are all in the pack.

Jack O’Donoghue starts at openside for the injured O’Mahony. He joins Gavin Coombes and Stander in the back row.

In the front row Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer scrum down on either side of Niall Scannell.

Jean Kleyn and the impressive Tadhg Beirne continue in the engine room.

An unchanged backline sees Mike Haley start at full-back. Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on either wing will complete the back three.

Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell form the centre partnership as Conor Murray and Joey Carbery start in the half-backs.

Munster Team:

15. Mike Haley, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Keith Earls, 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Gavin Coombes, 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. CJ Stander (captain).

Munster Replacements:

16. Kevin O’Byrne, 17. James Cronin, 18. John Ryan, 19. Billy Holland, 20. Fineen Wycherley, 21. Craig Casey, 22. JJ Hanrahan, 23. Chris Cloete.

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Senior players Fineen Wycherley and Diarmuid Barron have signed contract extensions. Jason Jenkins has been signed to replace the retiring CJ Stander. Senior contracts have been awarded to the Academy’s Jack Daly, Josh Wycherley, Thomas Ahern and Jack Crowley.

Jason Jenkins will join the province ahead of the 2021-22 season on a one-year deal. The South African, who can play in the back or second row, is currently playing with Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese Top League.  A former South African ‘A’ and U20s player, the 25-year-old made his Springboks debut in 2018 against Wales.

Contract extensions for Wycherley and Barron

On the contract extension front Fineen Wycherley has continued to be a key member of Johann van Graan’s squad. He made 15 appearances this season before he suffered an injury against the Scarlets last month.

The Bantry Bay RFC man and former Academy Player of the Year was called up to the wider Ireland training squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup. The 23-year-old, who has made 56 appearances for the province playing across the second and back row, signs a two-year deal.

Diarmuid Barron graduated to the senior side last summer after spending two years in the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy. The product of Cashel RFC and Rockwell College made seven appearances while still in the Academy. The 22-year-old has made four appearances this season with the hooker most recently making his first start against Benetton in Thomond Park. Barron has signed a one-year contract extension.

Munster Academy Players Progess

Munster Academy players Jack Daly, Josh Wycherley and Thomas Ahern all progress from their final year while Jack Crowley will advance after one year in the programme.

Daly made his senior debut against Zebre in November and followed that up with his second appearance for the province against Benetton in March. The Kerry native joined the Academy in 2018. The 22-year-old back row plays his club rugby with Garryowen and has represented Ireland at Sevens and U20s level. He has put pen to paper on a one-year contract.

Josh Wycherley, brother of Fineen, made his senior debut against the Cardiff Blues in October. The loosehead prop has played nine times for Munster this season. He earned his first European start against Clermont Auvergne in December, playing a starring role in the province’s comeback victory. The 21-year-old featured for Ireland U20 during the Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign in 2019 and signs a two-year contract.

Waterford native Thomas Ahern, who has also signed up for two years, made his senior debut against the Dragons in November. He played a standout role in Ireland’s U20 campaign last year. He scored his first senior try for the province in his first start against Zebre at the end of November. Ahern has made six appearances for Munster to date.

Jack Crowley made his senior debut against Ulster in Belfast in January as a first year Academy player. The Innishannon man followed that up with his second appearance against the Scarlets in March. The out-half starred for the Ireland U20s in 2020. He scored 36 points in three games as Ireland clinched the Triple Crown before the campaign was cut short. The 21-year-old plays his club rugby with Cork Constitution. He advances to the senior ranks on a two-year deal.

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Head Coach Johann van Graan has included five Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players in his match day 23 for the Guinness PRO14 Round 8 game.

Prop Josh Wycherley will make his second start of the campaign while Thomas Ahern, Jack Daly, Ben Healy and Seán French are all named among the replacements.

Van Graan makes eight changes

In total, van Graan makes eight changes to the side that claimed an away bonus point win against Glasgow a week ago.

Chris Cloete returns to the starting line-up following a neck injury and will make his second start of the season. The South African along with Waterford’s Jack O’Donoghue and last weekend’s Player of the Match, Gavin Coombes, make up the back row. The young Number 8 makes his fifth start in a row after some highly impressive performances this season.

Fineen Wycherley makes the positional change to the second row alongside captain Billy Holland while younger brother Josh and hooker Rhys Marshall join Stephen Archer in the front row.

The half back pairing changes this week with Nick McCarthy making his first start of the season alongside JJ Hanrahan, who returns to the number ten jersey.

Munster Rugby’s centre pairing tonight with be Dan Goggin and Damian de Allende.

Darren Sweetnam is chosen on the left wing with Calvin Nash on the opposite side, while
Matt Gallagher moves to full back.

Prop Liam O’Connor returns from a calf injury to take his place on the bench for his first inclusion since December 2019.

Both Jack Daly and Seán French will likely make their Guinness PRO14 debuts off the bench tonight.

Munster Rugby Team:

15. Matt Gallagher, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Dan Goggin, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Darren Sweetnam, 10. JJ Hanrahan, 9. Nick McCarthy.

1. Josh Wycherley, 2. Rhys Marshall, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Fineen Wycherley, 5. Billy Holland (captain), 6. Jack O’Donoghue, 7. Chris Cloete, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Munster Rugby Replacements:

16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. Liam O’Connor, 18. Keynan Knox, 19. Thomas Ahern, 20. Jack Daly, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ben Healy, 23. Seán French.

Tonight’s Round 8 Guinness PRO14 game against Zebre at Thomond Park is live on eir Sport, with an 8.15pm kick-off.

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Munster won the last two meetings against the Blues and will hope to maintain that good recent record tonight. Johann van Graan has made nine changes to the side that defeated Edinburgh 25-23 in Limerick in Round 2.

Billy Holland will make his seasonal appearance for this Round 3 clash with the Corkman captaining the team. Holland will be partnered in the second row by Fineen Wycherley as Munster aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

A new-look front row sees James Cronin, Kevin O’Byrne and Stephen Archer named by the South African-born Head Coach.

Munster Rugby Academy player John Hodnett is chosen at openside with Gavin Coombes named at number eight. Waterford’s Jack O’Donoghue remains on the blindside flank.

Recent Munster hero Ben Healy named

Craig Casey and Munster Rugby Academy out half Ben Healy remain as the half back pairing. Healy has been the hero in both of Munster’s games this season. Firstly, his late kick gave the southern province a 30-27 win over the Scarlets in Round 1. Then, he converted CJ Stander’s late try against Edinburgh in their Round 2 clash.

Dan Goggin is named in midfield alongside Rory Scannell. Darren Sweetnam and Calvin Nash are chosen on the wings, with Mike Haley named at fullback.

In the replacements, Munster Rugby Academy prop Josh Wycherley, younger brother of Fineen, looks set to make his senior debut. He is joined on the bench by the experience of Rhys Marshall, Jean Kleyn, Chris Cloete and JJ Hanrahan amongst others.

Munster Rugby team:
15. Mike Haley, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Dan Goggin, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Darren Sweetnam, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Craig Casey.

1. James Cronin, 2. Kevin O’Byrne, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Fineen Wycherley, 5. Billy Holland (captain), 6. Jack O’Donoghue, 7. John Hodnett, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Munster Rugby replacements:
16. Rhys Marshall, 17. Josh Wycherley, 18. Roman Salanoa, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. Chris Cloete, 21. Nick McCarthy, 22. JJ Hanrahan, 23. Damian de Allende.

Players not considered for selection

Peter O’Mahony wasn’t considered for the game as he was involved in Ireland’s win over Italy on Saturday. Joey Carbery continues to suffer from an ankle injury. Neil Cronin and Keith Earls miss out with knee and back problems respectively.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, Munster Rugby Senior Coach Stephen Larkham said:

“If you look at our run of games coming up, this will be our best preparation for a while. We’ll have 16 games in a row now. We had a couple of days off last week and had really good prep for this as we had a proper seven-day turnaround.

“It’s all part of the environment that we live in now, and adapting to different situations.”

The game kicks off at 8.15pm, with TV coverage beginning on eir sport at 7.45pm and TG4 at 7.50pm.

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The South African admitted that their main goal of achieving a semi-final place had been achieved:

“We set out to qualify for the semi-final which we did and take the five league points. In the first 28 minutes, when we were equal numbers, we really played well. We played against a team high in confidence, so firstly, pretty happy with that semi-final spot.”

Van Graan was full of praise for Guinness Man of the Match and try-scorer Tadhg Beirne, who returned to action with the side today. It was like roulette on Gclub to see who would win the man of the match, Bundee Aki was superb.

“Tadhg really played well,” van Graan offered, before adding, “I felt it was a good performance from him and Fineen (Wycherley) and Billy (Holland) coming on to close out the game. That’s the good thing about a quality squad, you need a squad.”

The Munster boss made every effort to save some of his key players for Friday night’s semi-final by taking Conor Murray, CJ Stander, Tadhg Beirne, JJ Hanrahan, Peter O’Mahony and Damian de Allende off the pitch in the final 20 minutes.

Despite what van Graan describes as “the shortest turnaround that we’ve had in years,” he accepts the situation, stating:

“That’s just how the cards have been dealt to us, so we’ll get back to Limerick and Cork tonight, literally have one training session and we’re back here (in Dublin) on Thursday. It’s all about recovery, but that’s the challenge of sport and that’s what we’ve got to do. We’ll be back here on Friday evening against the champions in their back yard.”

Munster will play Leinster at the Aviva Stadium at 7.35pm on Friday night in the first of the Guinness Pro14 semi-finals.

Ulster travel to Edinburgh on Saturday in the second last-four game, with the final scheduled for Saturday, 12^th September, at a venue yet to be confirmed.

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