CJ Stander feeling positive but pressure still on for Munster

CJ Stander may have developed into a strong captain but his salesmanship skills may need brushing up if his stint in the Munster ticket office is anything to go by.

Stander leads his adopted province into the breach for the last time in what has been a difficult season as Munster attempt to secure Champions Cup rugby for 2016-17 with a victory over Scarlets at Thomond Park on Saturday.

While his team have struggled in both Europe and the league during a turbulent campaign, Stander has remained a pillar of strength, growing into his temporary captaincy role in the long-term absence of the injured Peter O’Mahony and maintaining the performance levels that earned him a Test call-up for the Six Nations having qualified for Ireland on residency last November, some three years after his arrival from South Africa.