‘No extra pressure’ on Munster to make strong start to season at home, says Payne

Whatever may happen to Munster in the opening months of the season, they can hardly use jet lag as an excuse if things go awry as, in a rather unusual fixtures quirk, they won’t be heading overseas until December.

After last Saturday’s defeat against Glasgow Warriors in Limerick, over the coming weeks, Munster will welcome both the Bulls and the Sharks to Thomond Park in the URC, either side of away trips to Ulster and Leinster. Nestled in the middle of those four fixtures is a Champions Cup clash against Racing 92, which will be played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on October 17th.