It’s been something of a rollercoaster week for Munster, what with a face-saving draw on the road against Castres, the weakest of the French participants in this season’s Champions Cup, to complement the confirmation of a new head coach, writes Donal Lenihan.

To say Munster boss Rassie Erasmus knows tomorrow’s opposition inside out is, for once, an understatement.

Bernard Jackman could give you any number of reasons as to why he accepted the offer to coach the Newport Gwent Dragons.

One of the first things you learn booking flights for this summer tour is that contrary to the initial IRFU missive announcing Ireland taking on the USA en route to Japan, is that it ain’t on the way to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Security will be tight in the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey tomorrow night for the clash between the USA and Ireland but AJ MacGinty is no stranger to being escorted in and out of this fixture.

Few rugby players can simply be identified by their first names. Gareth, Sonny Bill, Zinzan, Jonny, and Jonah are some of the few whose deeds and skills have given them that particular status. And Joost.

CJ Stander bagged his third major award in nine days but yesterday’s Munster Rugby Player of the Year honour was, he said, the one that meant the most to him.

CJ Stander can finally start practising the words to Amhrán na bhFiann.

CJ Stander admitted he had experienced his worst moments in a Munster jersey following their embarrassing defeat to Stade Francais and said the players had to stand up and take more responsibility.

When New Zealand and South Africa clash, all bets are off.

If CJ Stander brings even half his fiercely competitive nature to bear on Munster’s journey into the lion’s den at Stade Marcel Michelin today, then the province should have nothing to fear from Clermont Auvergne.

CJ Stander wants to stay at Munster well beyond his current contract in a bid to make a similar impact on the province as Doug Howlett.

Still only 21, Serfontein has already established a reputation as something of a dump truck.

Meyer couldn’t help but laugh when asked if he is viewed as a risk-taker back home. His response was that the perception is actually very different.

South African veteran Victor Matfield has his World Cup winners’ medal from 2007 but insists winning another next October at Twickenham is still top of his priority list as the Springboks head into their northern hemisphere tour opener against Ireland this Saturday.

Springboks talisman Victor Matfield has hailed Ireland captain Paul O’Connell as “the best player I’ve played against”.

He may be Munster’s standout performer this season, but the province are still to see the best of CJ Stander, believes coach Ian Costello.

Thomond Park plays host to rugby of a slightly different variety this weekend when 12 teams battle for the inaugural Limerick World Sevens.

Munster coach Colm McMahon is confident South Africans CJ Stander and Gerhard Van Den Heever will play key roles when they take on powerful opposition in the inaugural Limerick World Club 7s at Thomond Park on August 9-10.

A top international coach has endorsed the nomination of Ireland’s Garry Ringrose for player of the tournament in the IRB Junior World Cup.

Limerick City will be divided into the northern and southern hemisphere this summer — and on either side of this line the food, culture, and music of some of the world’s greatest rugby provinces and clubs will be celebrated as part of its first-ever world club sevens festival.

Paul O’Connell put Peter O’Mahony’s injury and the introduction of CJ Stander into perspective last Saturday: “He’s going to be a huge loss but go back to Declan Kidney, every injury is an opportunity for someone else and players can respond like CJ did today.”

Teams including Saracens, New South Wales Waratahs and Stade Français have confirmed their participation as World Club 7s comes to Ireland for the first time this summer.

Munster have confirmed the signing of Gerhard van den Heever, who will join the province in November.

No one will blame Munster and their red army of supporters for thinking tomorrow’s match against Racing Metro is already won, the points safely stowed away.

Munster head coach Rob Penney revealed yesterday that talismanic lock Paul O’Connell was “still a wee way away” from full fitness.

Ireland’s preparations for Saturday’s Test against South Africa have been dealt another serious blow after Paul O’Connell was ruled out of the Guinness Series opener due to a back injury.

New Munster coach Rob Penney had no involvement in the signing of back-rower CJ Stander from South Africa, but yesterday he fully endorsed the decision to lure the Blue Bulls star to Ireland.

South African starlet CJ Stander has been welcomed to the Munster fold by chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald, who described the newcomer as a “a hugely exciting signing.”

Rob Penney’s back row options are set to improve with South African back row unit CJ Stander arriving at Munster today.

Munster 33 Edinburgh 0

Munster’s hopes of versatile back-rower CJ Stander arriving early in Ireland have been dashed as his Blue Bulls side have secured a Currie Cup semi-final spot in South Africa.

WITH all of the posturing and brinkmanship going on at the moment between the Premiership rugby umbrella in England and the rest of the European participants, we should cherish this Heineken Cup while we have it. With just two seasons left on the existing accord, it is inevitable the current format will be tweaked, if only for the warring factions on all sides to save face. In the meantime, let’s enjoy what we have and concentrate on matters on the pitch.

Munster last night put the finishing touch to their squad for next season when the province agreed terms with highly-rated Blue Bulls and South Africa Under-20 flanker CJ Stander.

Ulster Rugby today confirmed that back-row forward Pedrie Wannenburg will leave the club at the end of this season.