European Cup record

Munster have an incredible record of consistency in qualifying for the knockout stage, reaching the last eight 18 times. However, they have progressed to the final only four times and won the trophy just twice in 2006 and 2008, beating Biarritz Olympique 23-19 and Toulouse 16-13 in the respective finals.

Last season

The 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup campaign is one Munster would probably rather forget, as they failed to make the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015/16, after finishing third in Pool 4 behind Racing 92 and Saracens following just three wins in their six ties.

Head coach

Johann van Grann – The 40-year-old South African initially joined the Irish province in November 2017 until June 2020 but in April 2019 extended his contract for a further two years. Previously, he was the Springboks’ forward coach, and forwards and attack coach with Super Rugby side the Bulls.

Key players

Munster boast a string of Irish international stalwarts in their squad, including scrum-half Conor Murray, flanker Peter O’Mahony, wing Keith Earls and No.8 CJ Stander. Stander topped the Heineken Champions Cup carriest list last season. They can also call on the experience of Springboks centre Damian De Allende and lock RG Snyman.

Pool fixtures

ASM Clermont Auvergne and Harlequins, Munster’s Pool B opponents, have been regular adversaries of the Irish province in Europe’s premier club competition down the years. Generally, their meetings have been in the pool stage, but in 2012/13 they won 18-12 at Quins in the quarter-finals before losing 16-10 to Clermont in the last four at Stade de la Mosson.

Our fact file of Pool B of the Heineken Champions Cup continues with a look at two-time winners Munster Rugby.