A statement issued yesterday evening by Munster said,

"Munster accept that Neath Swansea Ospreys are entitled to ask the Citing Officer to look at any incident that might have taken place in the course of any match under the jurisdiction of ERC Ltd.

"Munster totally refute the allegation of racial abuse made by Neath Swansea Ospreys and further believe that Marcus Horan has no case to answer in relation to the charges leveled against him.

"Munster are also disappointed that Neath-Swansea Ospreys chose to lodge their complaint only after Munster had informed them (Neath-Swansea Ospreys) that they intended asking the Citing Officer to look at the incident involving Richard Mustoe which resulted in Marcus Horan requiring seven stitches in a forehead wound."

What is particularly puzzling from a Munster point of view, in relation to the very serious charge of racial abuse, is that there was no complaint made after the game to the match referee, the match commissioner or indeed the fourth official.

In fact it is understood that the charges leveled against Horan were formulated only after Munster had confirmed to an Ospreys official that they were indeed proceeding with a citing against Richard Mustoe.

It is understood that ERC will announce today (Thursday) the time and place (probably Dublin) when the hearing of both cases will be heard.