And that starts today when Ulster play Edinburgh in Murrayfield where an Ulster win would prove a real bonus to Munster as they chase an away semi spot.

In Thomond Park Stadium on Saturday evening, after the British & Irish Cup side had qualified for the May 16th final, Munster came up short despite a brave come-back and last gasp assault on the Ospreys line.

Although enjoying territorial advantage in the opening and playing all of the rugby they still went in at half time trailing 6-3, Dan Bigger outscoring Ronan O'Gara 2-1.

Munster went further behind at the start of the second half, Bigger on the mark again in the 42nd and 47th minute and Munster looked in serious danger of a tonking when Bigger kicked his five successful penalty in the 51th minute for an offence that saw Munster reduced to 14 when James Coughlan was yellow carded.

To their credit however they claimed their way back into contention with an O'Gara penalty in the 54th minute and then a sublime move involving Scott Deasy that saw O'Gara crash over for a try wide on the right at the Ballynanty end.

He missed the conversion which meant they needed a try to win and they almost snatched that at the death when a series of drives were repelled and a knock-on heralded the final whistle.

If there was a consolation out of this for Munster it was the return to form of Lifeimi Mafi and the return to action of Denis Hurley who impressed when he came on as a second half replacement. Added to that is the continuing good impression being made by Deasy and Tom Gleeson who growing into this squad with every passing game.

Munster: P Warwick (D Hurley 60); L Mafi, T Gleeson, J De Villiers, S Deasy; R O'Gara capt, T O'Leary (P Stringer 67); M Horan (J Brugnaut 67), J Flannery (D Varley 67), J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Wallace (N Ronan 65), J Coughlan.

Ospreys: L Byrne (S Parker 65); T Bowe, A Bishop, J Hook, S Williams; D Biggar, M Phillips; P James (R Bevington 77), H Bennett, A Jones; I Gough (A Wyn Jones 40), J Thomas; J Collins, M Holah (F Tiatia 76), R Jones capt.

Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)