Outside chance.

Despite leading for much of the game Munster ultimately went down 39-22 to Racing 92 in Paris yesterday thanks to three tries in the last ten minutes – leaving them on just 11 points from five games and all but ending their chances of a spot in the knockout stages of the competition.

I say that because there is still a very slim and unlikely chance that they will go through if a number of results manage to go their way. First up, they need to beat Ospreys at home next weekend with a bonus-point, bringing them to a total of 16 points.

Then sticking with their own pool, they need Racing to defeat holders Saracens at Allianz Park to give them a chance of finishing second They then need two of three more results to go their way, with the province currently sitting 11th in the overall rankings (the top eight go through to the quarter-finals).

Gloucester, with 14 points, who take on already-qualified Toulouse in France next weekend, are above Munster in the rankings at present, as are Northampton (14 points) and Glasgow Warriors (12 points) who take on Lyon and Sale Sharks away respectively.

If two of those teams lose, along with Saracens to Racing and Munster get maximum points against Ospreys – the southern province will be in the quarter-finals. Highly unlikely – but anything can happen in sport.

Not exactly an ideal scenario to be in but they can blame no one but themselves.