“A few of the boys picked up knocks in France and although I’d be hopeful that they’ll be ok, I don’t see any point in rushing things at this stage. We’ll have a look at them all tomorrow in Cork and be in a better position then to assess the situation.”

Gaffney also refuses to join in on the various qualification possibilities “We’re looking to win the game, simple as that. We’re up against a really talented professional side and our primary focus must be on playing a type of game to beat them. The players feel they owe something to themselves and the supporters who travelled to France last week. But it's not just the players, it's the coaches and management as well, we're all in this together and so hopefully we can make up for that disappointment.

“But they know they face a huge task against one of the strongest squads in the competition. Gloucester, notwithstanding their defeat in Perpignan, are a fine side on the top of their form at the minute and they hold the whip hand on the try count. This really is a huge match. The pity is, that because of that result in France instead of playing for a home quarter we're playing to hang on. But this is the sort of challenge this Munster team love and I think it’s going to be a fantastic occasion. This time around we'll have the crowd behind us and after our experience in France and indeed Kingsholm that'll make a nice change."”

Munster Squad:

Backs

Jeremy Staunton, Killian Keane, John Kelly, Jason Holland, Mike Mullins, Mossie Lawlor, Colm McMahon, Dom Malone, Mike Prendergast, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara

Forwards

Marcus Horan, Martin Cahill, James Blaney, Frank Sheahan, John Hayes, Mick O’Driscoll, Mick Galwey Donncha O’Callaghan, Denis Leamy, Eddie Halvey, Jim Williams, Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley,