It was a question of all quiet in the Sofitel Hotel today as the Munster players readied themselves for what lies ahead this evening. With the kick-off not till 8.30 pm it makes for a very long day for players and management alike.

For those who breakfasted early there was the option of going to the nearby Hypermarche for an hour with fitness coach Fergal O Callaghan obligingly ferrying people to and from the huge store.

The players sat down to lunch at 1.30pm and later on had their pre-match meal at 4pm. In between times Therese O Brien and Kirsty Peacock were kept busy giving the players their pre-match rubs.

The plan is to leave the hotel for Castres at 5.45 in order to arrive at Stade Pierre-Antoine at 7pm.