MUNSTER FAITHFUL PRESSED INTO SUNDAY SERVICE IN FRANCE FOR SECOND TIME

MUNSTER supporters have been handed another short straw by Champions Cup organisers after confirmation that they will be forced to endure a second Sunday clash in France this season.

All three Irish provinces are chasing a last-eight slot but there are still tricky obstacles to negotiate as qualifying reaches a climax.

Their trip to Racing 92’s new U Arena will kick off at 3.15pm on Sunday, January 13.

Leinster entertain eliminated Glasgow Warriors in the RDS at 1pm while the previous day Ulster will host La Rochelle at Kingspan Stadium with the same kick-off time.

Munster and Leinster are primed to progress from their respective pools while Ulster also have a keen interest in securing a best-placed runners-up berth, albeit the defeat of La Rochelle by Wasps last time out has significantly tightened the bunch.

On the final weekend, Leinster travel to Montpellier at 1pm on Saturday, January 20, another difficult trip for their supporters. The following day sees Munster host Castres at Thomond Park at 1pm, while Ulster take on Wasps at the Ricoh Arena at 3.15pm.

Connacht, who are aiming to make a clean sweep of Irish quarter-finalists in the Challenge Cup, travel to Worcester and host Oyonnax in their final two games as Kieran Keane’s side aim to complete a 100pc winning record. ROUND FIVE – Champions Cup: Saturday, January 13: Ulster v La Rochelle, Kingspan Stadium (1.0, live on Sky Sports). Sunday, January 14: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors, RDS (1.0, live on Sky Sports); Racing 92 v Munster

(3.15, live on Sky Sports).

Challenge Cup: Saturday, January

13: Worcester v Connacht, Sixways (3.0) ROUND SIX – Champions Cup: Saturday, January 20: Montpellier v Leinster, Stade Altrad (1.0, Irish time, live on Sky Sports). Sunday, January

21: Munster v Castres, Thomond Park

(1.0, live on Sky Sports); Wasps v Ulster, Ricoh Arena (3.15, BT Sport). Challenge Cup: Saturday, January

20: Connacht v Oyonnax, Sportsground

(2.30).