Munster, according to Munster rugby players and fans, have always been considered the runts in the IRFU provincial litter. This, we thought, was the sort of propaganda which was normally turned out to generate "team spirit" when facing teams from Dublin or Leinster in the interprovincial series. It appears however that Munster do seriously consider themselves to be looked down upon by the Dublin officers.

Australian second row John Langford, speaking in the official Munster Team News, talks of playing for the Brumbies back in Australia and how the likes of Queenland and New South Wales looked down on them.

"The hierarchy over here in Dublin have that kind of attitude as well towards Munster. The best place to answer them is on the paddock," he says. And, so it seems, Munster are doing this season.