They'd made a fruitless trip over in December only for the game to be postponed at a time when parts of southern England were covered in snow and make the return journey needing a victory to ensure a place in the knock out phase.

That trip to England was followed by aother in January and a commendable if narrow 15-14 win over Nottingham at Meadow Lane where Scott Deasy kicked five penalty and Munster defended like dervishes for a valuable victory.

Then on to Garryowen FC for the game against Esher that Munster won 64-9 and try scorers from that bitterly cold night, Simon Zebo, Troy Smith, Danny Barnes, Conor Murray, Ivan Dineen and Dave Kilcoyne are all in included in Anthony Foley's side as are Billy Holland, Darragh Hurley, Peter Borlase, Dave Foley, Deasy and Tom Gleeson who have all seen Magners League action in recent weeks.

Although Munster head their Pool, they are just two points clear of Llanelli and five in front of their Tuesday hosts who have a game in hand against Melrose away next Saturday.

Llanelli's final game is at home to Nottingham next Wednesday and the Welsh side who lowered Munster's colours in the opening game of the campaign in Waterford will be a short order to take maximum points from that game

Munster: G Quinn-McDonagh, R O'Mahony, S Zebo, D Barnes, I Dineen, T Gleeson, T Smith, S Deasy, D Cusack, C Sheridan, C Murray, D Kilcoyne, D Ryan, P Borlase, D Hurley, D Casey, J Reale, G Slattery, D Foley, B Holland, D O'Callaghan, C O'Flaherty, K Essex, B O'Hara, P Butler, J Quill,