Balancing act facing van Graan

MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan says it’s crucial he juggles his troops correctly over the festive period.

The Reds go to Kingspan Stadium tonight before hosting Leinster on December 29 and making the trip to Connacht seven days later.

Van Graan’s side are off the back of two tough Champions Cup ties against Castres and he has made 13 changes for tonight’s game.

Mike Haley and

Sam Arnold

(right) are the pair who retain their places following last weekend’s 13-12 defeat in France.

“Ulster is a team that’s playing really good rugby at this stage. We knew from the start in this ten-week block that we’re just going to play quality opposition so it’s Ulster up now,” said van Graan.

“They’re playing quality rugby. They’re playing really well at home, they’ve thumped quite a few teams up there over the last two weeks. It will be a big challenge for us.

“The intensity certainly is not going to drop. The challenge will be the block of two European games, the three interprovincial derbies and then two European games again – how you manage that to make sure that once you get to Gloucester and Exeter, you have enough legs in your squad to come through those games.

“On the other side, these derbies are pretty important. This year we’ve got two away and only Leinster at home – having the European champions coming on the 29th is a pretty special occasion as well.”