Declan Kidney’s side have enjoyed mixed fortunes in their domestic league so far this season. The loss of twelve front-line players during the recent World Cup seemed to do little harm to Munster’s performance levels as the province successfully navigated their way through their first two fixtures.

Successive defeats on the road, to the Ospreys and Glasgow respectively, severely dented title aspirations but a hard-fought victory against Edinburgh three weeks ago appears to have stemmed the tide.

For this weekend’s clash at Musgrave Park, Munster will be keen to maintain their current performance levels.

Last Sunday’s impressive victory over an experimental Clermont Auvergne highlighted a number of interesting factors. Alan Quinlan gave a man-of-the-match performance under the watchful eye of Eddie O’Sullivan.

The Clanwilliam man serving a timely reminder to the Irish coach ahead of next season’s Six Nations. Everything lacking from the national side’s performances in the recent World Cup was displayed in abundance in Limerick last Sunday.

Quinlan was omnipresent, both in the loose and up front. Hyper-competitive at the breakdown, he also exerted controlled aggression both on the floor and in the tackle. A beaming smile and raised fist to the newly formed East stand upon being substituted with five minutes remaining said it all.

His companion in the pack, Mick O’Driscoll, enjoyed one of his finest displays in the province’s jersey to date. Following on from an equally impressive performance against Wasps in the Heineken Cup a week before, the second-row is certainly grasping his chance with both hands.