Munster have been beaten at the semi-final stage of Europe’s premier club competition in three of the last four years – the other being last year’s disappointing pool stage exit.

Stander will hope it’s a day to remember on Saturday when the French four-time winners visit Thomond Park with a place in the last eight at stake.

With the former British and Irish Lion set to depart the two-time European Cup winners at the end of the season as he retires from the sport, this season’s campaign will be the final opportunity for the South African born star to lift European rugby’s most prestigious honour.

Stander, 31, joined the Irish province in 2012 after spells with Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and Bulls in Super Rugby. His spell at Munster has seen him appear 49 times on the European stage, scoring 12 tries in those matches. His debut came for Munster against Edinburgh Rugby in 2013.

Stander touched down in Munster’s thrilling 39-31 come-from-behind victory in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup in a thrilling contest against French side ASM Clermont Auvergne – and he will be eager to add to his tally of three career tries in the knockout stages of the competition.

Former Ireland teammate Rory Best said of Stander in his BBC column: “I was lucky to captain CJ from his first Test start until I retired and what he gave in every game was a priceless loyalty.

“You know you can rely on him, no matter what way you go he will be 100% behind you because he believes in the importance of the team over self.

“When you say things in a changing room as a captain you want to believe people are buying into it. You can't underestimate the confidence CJ gives other leaders, when they say something he is looking at you nodding and you know he is going to give you everything to put what you're saying into practice.

“As a player, CJ is one of those rare breeds who will only want to carry harder the more he gets knocked down.”

It will be a special occasion for Munster Rugby No.8 CJ Stander when he makes his 50th European appearance for the Irish province when they host Toulouse in the Round of 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday afternoon.