When they faced Toulouse in 2000 it was their first semi-final in the European Cup but they are now playing in a record 13th. Standing in their way are Racing 92, whose only previous appearance at this stage came in 2016, the year they lost to Saracens in the final. “I was at Munster for 13 years,” said Ryan, who was involved in three semi-finals with the province and was in the squad when they won the European Cup in 2008. I may not be playing the best rugby of my career but I still feel I have a lot to add. Munster tend to grow their own, supplemented by a few outsiders while Racing do the opposite, locals scattered among high-profile imports.

Source: The Guardian April 21, 2018 11:00 UTC