CJ Stander paid tribute to the hard work of the late Anthony Foley and his fellow Munster coaches after their 32-7 Champions Cup bonus-point victory over Racing 92.

The way Dave Kilcoyne has been charging into contact to keep his team on the front foot of late suggests he is not the sort of player used to treading carefully.

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.

Rugby players returning from long-term injury often talk about needing plenty of game time to get themselves fully match sharp but for a specialist position like hooker, there is rust to shake off on other facets of their game.

ANOTHER league game, another rave review, but CJ Stander is taking nothing for granted when competition for places in the Munster back-row places is so intense ahead of Saturday’s European opener at Sale Sharks.

As I walked along the footpath outside Flamengo’s old ground in Rio yesterday, there was a sudden blaring of horns and sirens and I looked up to see the traffic swiftly parting to make way for a big security convoy: motorcycle outriders, a police car, a police jeep, two trucks full of soldiers, an ambulance and, slap bang in the middle, the Netherlands team coach.

Rob Penney has been able to name Ireland internationals Donncha O’Callaghan and Mike Sherry in his first competitive squad for Munster’s RaboDirect Pro12 opener at Edinburgh tomorrow night.

To look at the way Donnacha Ryan earned his Munster Player of the Year award you would never imagine the bristling, marauding forward ever experienced moments of doubt.

GORDON D’ARCY and Cian Healy arrive at Ireland’s World Cup base today having missed a gentle introduction to the pre-tournament camp ahead of this weekend’s Pool C opening game against the USA.

PAUL O’CONNELL will play his first competitive rugby since March tomorrow night when he lines out for Young Munster against Shannon at Thomond Park, Munster manager Sean Payne confirmed yesterday.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has called on referees to ensure the contest at the breakdown remains under the new global law interpretations.

Celtic 2 Hamilton 0

Uncompromising on the field, Kerry’s Liam O’Flaherty and Eamonn Breen took a vow of silence off it. They built a career on being strong and silent. But they’ve mellowed, as Colm O’Connor found out.