Thousands of Munster fans are expected in Limerick this afternoon to welcome the Heineken Cup winners back to the city.

Organisers are expecting as many as 70,000 fans to turn out to see their heroes who beat Biarritz in yesterday's thrilling final in Cardiff.

Down through the years, Munster have experienced repeated setbacks during their punishing ascent to the European rugby summit - two cup final defeats, three-semi-final exits and a couple of quarter-final failures before yesterday's historic win.

The European champions will receive a civic reception at 3pm before travelling in an open-top bus through Limerick city centre before finishing up on O'Connell Street.

Celebrations got underway early this morning when thousands of people turned out to greet the team when they landed at Shannon Airport.

Anthony Foley told the cheering crowd: "We have a great squad, great management but most of all we've got great supporters who'd follow us to the ends of the earth."