Munster head coach Johann van Graan feels his team have taken a major step forward in their development after beating Leicester 25-16 at Welford Road.

For all the good news coming out of Munster in the past couple of days, the appearance of centres Matt Toomua and Manu Tuilagi on the Leicester Tigers teamsheet yesterday lunchtime will have offered a sobering counterpoint ahead of tomorrow’s Champions Cup re-match at Welford Road.

The understandably grumpy figure cut by Leicester captain Tom Youngs at Thomond Park on Saturday night was neatly representative of the English mood in general after a terrible weekend of Champions Cup results for Premiership clubs.

Johann van Graan’s assertion that Munster only have half the job done against Leicester has been brought into sharp focus by the likely return to the Tigers midfield next Sunday of Manu Tuilagi and Matt Toomua.

Leicester romped to a seven-try European Champions Cup victory as they ran Castres ragged at Welford Road.

Rassie Erasmus may not remember whether he played at Welford Road during his Springboks days but the Munster boss is canny enough to acknowledge his players cannot afford to turn up there today feeling in any way complacent.

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill praised Freddie Burns’ “stardust” qualities after the fly-half inspired Tigers’ 27-17 European Champions Cup victory over Racing 92 at Welford Road.

Michael Cheika is reluctant to heed fresh calls to shift Israel Folau to the centres as the Wallabies travel to Wellington striving to arrest their worst losing streak in more than a decade.

GUINNESS PRO12:

Michael Cheika has challenged Australia to "harden up" against England at Twickenham on Saturday to dispel any notion the Wallabies are a soft touch.

One coach ended up in hospital and the other was left with a serious World Cup headache: Ireland’s win against Australia told vastly different stories for two teams trying to prove themselves.

Dimestore wisdom says it’s better to be talked about than not, but the dwindling levels of chatter about Robbie Henshaw this last few weeks is testament to the seamless manner in which the youngster has slotted in to Joe Schmidt’s midfield.

Ireland fended off a relentless late onslaught to grind past Australia 26-23, despite being outscored three tries to two in Dublin.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has seen Michael Cheika make his mark on teams in Dublin, Paris and Sydney, and the one constant he expects to have been passed on to the Wallabies by their new boss is a collective work ethic.

Michael Cheika has been appointed as the new Australia head coach.

Australia 24 South Africa 23

Australia 6 France 0

The decisive match-ups

Eoin Reddan must produce a performance worthy of scrum-half rival Conor Murray’s expectations against Australia, believes Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.

Australian sport is going through a rough time at present, something an ultra-competitive, sports-mad nation is finding difficult to come to terms with.

Australia bounced back from their England defeat to record a 50-20 victory over Italy in their second autumn international at the Stadio Olimpico.

Joe Schmidt will have breathed a sigh of relief ahead of his first game as Ireland head coach next weekend after fly-half Johnny Sexton remained an unused substitute for Racing Metro on Saturday night.

Scrum-half Will Genia will return to the starting line-up for Australia’s final Rugby Championship fixture against Argentina in Rosario tomorrow.

Australia 29 New Zealand 47

New Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has no concerns over playmaker Quade Cooper’s ability to perform under pressure ahead of his likely Test return against the All Blacks next month.

Australia selectors have named 12 uncapped players in an extended 40-man training squad ahead of the upcoming spring tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

Australian vice-captain Berrick Barnes has been ruled out of his country's upcoming tour of Europe.