Munster showed their character in no uncertain terms on Sunday, just a very short week after the disappointment of San Sebastian, to claim a place in the Magners League semi-final despite a 13-12 defeat to Cardiff Blues at the City Stadium

Munster's Heineken Cup campaign ended at the penultimate stage when they were beaten 18-7 in San Sebastian's Anoeta Stadium on Sunday in front of a 32,000 crowd.

Defeat to Ospreys in the penultimate Magners League game leaves Munster looking to others to help them claim a semi-final place.

Away days in Connacht are often grim affairs played in atrocious weather conditions against opponents determined to give nothing soft away.

Munster are through to their ninth Heineken Cup semi-final following a pulsating and deserved victory over 2009 European Challenge Cup winners, Northampton Saints, at Thomond Park today.

Jonathan Sexton's 65th penalty gave Leinster a 16-15 victory over Munster at a full house Thomond park Stadium on Good Friday.

A late Jean de Villiers try converted by Ronan O'Gara who also added five penalties saw Munster see off the gritty challenge of Glasgow Warriors for a 27-19 win in Thomond Park Stadium.

Munster's 23-17 win over Scarlets in front of a near 5000 crowd at Musgrave Park moves them to third in the table and right back into contention for the knock out stages

Munster travelled to Rodney Parade knowing that a win would send them to the top of the table but they produced a huge below par performance to leave with nothing at all and and complaints about that either.

To put their 19-12 victory over Edinburgh in context consider they hadn't played in over six weeks, lost three players in the space of two minutes in the opening quarter and played twenty minutes of the second half with 14 players.