Another Full-On Week

Munster report no serious injury concerns as they begin a busy week’s training that culminates with matches in the Heineken and British & Irish Cup campaigns in France and Wales respectively.

Tony McGahan takes his squad to Toulouse for the clash with Castres Olympique while Ian Costello will fly out the same day to Wales and his side's second British & Irish Cup outing against Neath at The Gnoll.

Other than what these players consider normal wear and tear from bruising encounters against English heavyweights Northampton Saints and Cornish Pirates, the news on player well being is positive while Marcus Horan (ankle) who was a late withdrawal from the senior squad is optmistic about  a return to vie for a place on the plane to France.

Following on from their narrow B&I Cup defeat in Clonmel RFC, Munster face a daunting task at the famous Gnoll against a home side who warmed up for this one with a 29-16 win away to title holders Bristol.

Meanwhile, Castres have ceded home advantage opting to play their game against Munster in the 18,754 capacity Stade Ernest-Wallon rather than their own Stade Pierre Antoine (10,000), no doubt hoping to cash in on the support Munster enjoy no matter where they turn up to play.

On the opening weekend of this season's tournament Munster once again attracted the largest crowd, 25,543 turning up – over 5000 more than the next best –  in Thomond Park Stadium to witness their dramatic win.