Former Leinster and Munster player Liam Toland feels Munster are in a "reasonably strong position" based on the European Rugby Champions Cup pool draw for next season.
They will face Racing 92, Leicester Tigers and Castres in Pool 4. Leinster have been drawn against Exeter Chiefs, Montpellier and Glasgow in Pool 3, while Ulster will be up against Wasps, Harlequins and La Rochelle in Pool 1.
Speaking to Off The Ball, Toland said it was a positive that the Irish provinces avoided the Group of Death scenario presented by Pool 2.
"Munster should be in a reasonably strong position. I think Pool 2 with Clermont, Saracens and Ospreys and Saints is just appalling, and also Ulster they have an opportunity there as do Leinster. Exeter are relatively unknown in this competition so that's going to be really interesting about how they will do. I think Pool 2 is the one to avoid and the Irish teams did so," he said.
Toland also discussed the latest goings on the Lions tour where Warren Gatland's team have one once and lost once to New Zealand Provincial Barbarians and Blues respectively thus far.
"If you just go back to the Irish context, Ireland almost never concede 13 penalties. The Lions did so against the Blues. Now the conditions would have added to that but all the personnel and the types of penalties they conceded is because the side isn't functioning out of instinct. It's just making mistakes and they are second guessing if anything," he said.
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