Munster just want to keep on winning

The Irish giants will go into their latest continental challenge on the back of eight successive wins dating back to mid-February.

Their latest triumph arrived at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday night as Magners League Champions the Ospreys were beaten 22-20 thanks to a late Ronan O'Gara penalty.

It was a 21st Celtic win of the season for Munster and just the tonic they would have wanted prior to this weekend's European encounter.

And while Munster veteran David Wallace admitted he and his team-mates would rather have won by a more comfortable margin down in Swansea, the Ireland flanker insisted that it is winning in itself that really matters at this stage in the season.

"We probably win too many games in the 79th minute for our liking or for our supporters' liking but, on the whole, we come out on the right side more often than not," said Wallace.

"It was a very difficult game and we knew it was going to be like that but we're happy to have ground out a win.

"There were 20 changes from the guys who went out against the Scarlets when they fronted up and won away from home. They put the challenge to us and laid down the gauntlet that we had to come out and carry on that winning streak.

"In terms of progressing in both the Amlin Challenge Cup and the Magners League it's important to keep winning and to keep that mentality going."

Saturday's victory in South Wales typified the never-say-die attitude that Munster have exhibited so proudly over recent seasons.

Trailing 20-19 with just seconds remaining, Munster somehow ground out a result when it would have been easier to simply accept defeat.

It was an attitude that has become synonymous with Munster Rugby and one which understandably delighted head coach Tony McGahan.

McGahan's men arrived in Swansea with top spot in the Magners League and a home Play-Off semi-final already secured yet they fought to the very end to make it 18 wins from 21 attempts this term.

"I was really pleased with the fighting qualities of the group as a whole," said McGahan.

"They really fought for each other. They really competed for everything that was out there, whether it was on the ground, in the set-piece or on the scoreboard.

"We've been faced with difficult situations before and we've had to chase games and that certainly helps us to pull out results in big games.

"The belief and direction that they showed late on speaks volumes for the group. They were tremendous."