THE countdown is underway to Saturday’s (5.30pm) Champions Cup opener between Munster and Bayonne at Thomond Park.
At the weekend, Graham Rowntree’s side toppled leaders Glasgow Warriors in the URC but thoughts now quickly switch to upcoming happenings in Limerick.
Of the opposition, Rowntree noted: “They’re big. We’ve had a good look at them as coaches, we do our scout ten days out and they’ve a big, French pack. They love a maul.
“It’ll be a big challenge; Thomond Park, Saturday night, it’ll be a special night.”
He added: “The European cup is a special competition, I can hear that music already, the European music, it’s special to the club.
“It’s been on the horizon for a few weeks. I haven’t let the lads think about it or speak about it, we’ve got to get these games out of the way, get Glasgow out of the way.”
Munster exited the competition at the last 16 stage in 2022/2023.
