IF ever there was a case of ‘sometimes the pundits get it wrong’, it was witnessed in Croke Park at the weekend (Leinster 14, Munster 31), and this writer is still struggling to recall when last The Reds recorded such a glorious result.
Now joint top of the URC with the Stormers, and remaining unbeaten after four outings, coach Clayton McMillan and his staff have enjoyed a hugely impressive start in the URC.
The entire Munster 15 looked as if they were touched by fire and Leinster kept running out of numbers.
As the second half developed, and the home fans drifted away into the Dublin darkness, it became clear that there would be no rescue from the ruins in this lopsided fixture.
“The vibe around the place is brilliant. People are enjoying it,” Munster captain Tadhg Beirne told RTÉ Sport.
“Clayton himself has brought that. I hate using the word culture, but I suppose it is a different type of culture than what we had over the last year, and it’s been brilliant.”
On the injury front, Brian Gleeson has undergone surgery (elbow), while Edwin Edogbo (return-to-play protocol), Diarmuid Barron (neck) and Andrew Smith (hamstring) are other concerns for Munster.
Munster are at home to tenth-placed Connacht at Thomond Park this Saturday (7.45pm).
Connacht cannot be taken lightly.
They were unlucky to lose to the Bulls, 27-28, at the weekend.
McMillan will find it hard to rest some key players for this latest interpro derby, who are lying in tenth place and with a game in hand.
Selection is going to be difficult, with Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell and Ethan Coughlan having had the games of their sporting careers in Croker.
There is a good mood in the home camp at the moment and it would be a surprise if the team failed to record another URC win at headquarters.
After this game Munster will host an Argentina XV at the same venue on November 1.
Tickets for both matches are available through the usual channels.