The 'Fields of Athenry' could be heard drifting out of the De Danu Bar located at 9, rue du Pont Guilhemery, beside the canal, near Place Dupuy as one battalion of the famous Red Army assembled ahead of the match tonight. The attraction of the place is that it is owned by Trevor Brennan the teak-tough Kildareman who now plies his rugby trade with Toulouse. And Brennan was there looking fit and trim pulling pints and cracking jokes with all and sundry.

Originally a American Diner style restaurant the refurbishment was carried out largely by Brennan himself helped by family members and the end product is a lovely atmospheric pub that carries a must-go-to tag for any Irish person visiting this beautiful city.

It is managed by live-wire Collette Buckley and among the people there last night were Munster Branch President Niall O Driscoll, former international Paul Wallace, Ireland assistant coach Niall O'Donovan, RTE Radio rugby commentator Michael Corcoran and his media colleagues Brendan Fanning, Kieran Rooney and John O Sullivan.

It is likely that the crowd there this evening will be swelled by members of the Munster squad who unusually are not travelling home this evening.