"It was not in the game plan that I would play for the full 80 minutes but I am delighted that I did and I am also pleased that Mick O'Driscoll made a successful return after his ankle injury, " Foley said yesterday.

But Foley, returning after three months out with a shoulder injury, was "very disappointed" that Munster did not win the game. "We had a fine start and then we had chances to grab a winner in the last quarter. We put them under pressure and then allowed them to get out of the hole pretty easily by knocking-on or conceding penalties. It was disappointing to have put ourselves in scoring positions and not to have capitalised, " he said.

He is also upset that local touch judges are used in some matches. "There was a bit of stamping and other matters that went on out there and were not picked up by the touch judges, " he said. "I believe that there should be neutral touch judges in Magners League games as is the case with the Heineken Cup.

"It would also help referees in that they would build up a rapport with the other officials. If the league is to continue to enhance [its] credibility it is essential that professional officials are in charge."

Munster face an anxious wait ahead of next Sunday's Heineken Cup game against Bourgoin, the first ever Heineken Cup tie to be played in Switzerland. Tests tomorrow will show the extent of the injuries sustained by Trevor Halstead, John O'Sullivan and Jeremy Manning, all of whom had to retire during Friday's game.

It will also be the middle of the week before the outcome of the appeal by Alan Quinlan on his six week suspension is known. Munster remain hopeful that the ban can at least be reduced and that he could return against Leicester Tigers in two weeks' tim e.