BUSINESS AS USUAL AFTER JOE DEPARTS
IRELAND winger Andrew Conway expects Andy Farrell to make a smooth transition to the role of national team head coach when he takes over from Joe Schmidt after next year’s World Cup in Japan.
Following the New Zealander’s much-anticipated decision to step down at the end of his current contract with the IRFU, Farrell was immediately unveiled as his eventual successor.
“I’m sure he’s been thinking about that [head coach role] for a while. Joe (left) has put massive onus on the leadership group, and the coaching group that he has around him, to be all on the same page,” Conway remarked.
“He’ll be driving the defensive side of it and I’m sure he knows an incredible amount about attack, because that’s what he’s trying to marshal on a week-toweek basis.”
Before replacing Les Kiss as Ireland defence coach, Farrell held a four-month advisory role with Munster rugby.
“It was there that Conway first got a taste of the Wigan man’s methods - which proved to be an eye-opening experience for the 27-year-old.
“Andy has probably got a specific way for wingers and full-backs that he wants you to work. It is tough to adapt to that. It does take a while and it’s just repetition after repetition.
“Especially in the back-three, everyone knowing what the other guy is doing. I need to be able to look back and see where the 15 is.
“It’s tough working with Andy because he’s got such standards, but you see the benefit of it that comes out in the defence. Obviously keeping New Zealand try-less is pretty special.
“He’s done that a few times and been involved in huge victories over New Zealand. He’s definitely doing something right.”
was speaking yesterday in Limerick, where he was announced as the new Life Style Sports brand ambassador. MUNSTER coach Johann van Graan admitted it is a huge boost to have Conor Murray available to start his first game of the season against Edinburgh this evening.
The 29-year-old made his competitive return off the bench against Zebre last week following the neck injury he picked up on Ireland’s Tour to Australia,
He is one of 11 changes made by head coach van Graan after Munster’s bonus point win in Parma.
“He has worked really hard to get back and it is a great lift for the team.
“He did well when he came on last weekend and it’s all about building confidence,” said van Graan.
Captain Peter O’mahony returns from international duty and starts alongside five of Munster’s Ireland contingent against an Edinburgh team who were shocked 18-12 at Dragons last Sunday.
“I won’t read too much into their defeat, they could have won it in the last few minutes,” added van Graan.
“Richard Cockerill is a quality coach and you know they play a pretty pressurised style of footy. This is a pretty big game for them and they are a tough team to beat and so we expect a tough game.
“Just to put it into perspective, nobody just beats Toulon and they should possibly have beaten Montpellier as well. In Europe, that’s two big French teams so, yes, we have a lot of respect for Edinburgh.
“If you look at the run they had in the Pro 14 last year, they did really well and got into the playoffs. We beat them in the quarter-finals but they have grown, have a lot of belief and are a pretty tight team, and have beaten Glasgow.”
Fineen Wycherley, Kevin O’byrne, Ronan O’mahony and Rory Scannell scored tries in Munster’s 32-7 win at Zebre, but only Scannell is retained.
There are five changes in the backline where Andrew Conway and Keith Earls are back on the wings after their exploits with Ireland.
Centre Chris Farrell returns from injury and starts his first game since 21 January, he came off the bench last weekend. JJ Hanrahan starts after he fell ill and was replaced shortly before kick-off in Italy.
There is a new front row with Dave Kilcoyne and John Ryan back from Ireland duty, they flank hooker Niall Scannell.
Tadhg Beirne adds his international experience in the second row with Billy Holland joining him. Peter O’mahony and openside Chris Cloete are added to Arno Botha in the back row.