Johann van Graan welcomed his family off the plane from South Africa on Thursday and then sat down to pick his first team in 15 years as he settled into a new life as a professional head coach at Munster.

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.

Rassie Erasmus has endorsed potential Munster successor Dave Wessels as “one of the good fits” to replace him as director of rugby.

Australia-based South African Dave Wessels is being strongly touted as a potential replacement for Rassie Erasmus at Munster.

Australia-based South African Dave Wessels is being strongly touted as a potential replacement for Rassie Erasmus at Munster.

Rob Penney has ruled out a return to Munster to succeed Rassie Erasmus as head coach, but said he would be open to coming back to the northern hemisphere, or Ireland, in the future.

Between leading Munster to a first European Cup a decade ago and assuming the head coach’s role with the province six years later, Anthony Foley was responsible for guiding Munster’s next generation as ‘A’ team head coach. In this 2011 interview, reproduced in full, he distils his ethos into one succinct sentence: ‘My influences are Shannon, Munster and Ireland.’

There will not be a greater Munster man in our life time than Axel.

The men who fought alongside and against Paul O'Connell have their say on the big man.

Former Ireland and Lions manager Donal Lenihan believes home-grown coaches like Anthony Foley and Leo Cullen should be exposed to international best practice early in their coaching careers.

Ireland and Lions scrum-half Conor Murray has given Munster a massive boost ahead of their must-win Champions Cup clash at Leicester by saying a new deal to keep him at the province was “almost a no-brainer”.

Rugby dreams for Conor Murray began on a Derrynane beach, a summer cocktail of soccer, Gaelic football, tennis and on Saturday mornings, a platoon of kids spilling onto the sand to play tip rugby after watching the Tri-Nations, writes Brendan O’Brien    

Ronan O’Gara believes assumptions Ireland will “take” France at Rugby World Cup is dangerous talk, and warns the French players have never been fitter during the Pierre Saint-Andre reign.

Munster had to beat the Ospreys three times in one game last weekend, but it will stand them in good stead tomorrow in Belfast says Ronan O'Gara.

With a 4.15pm kick-off on a Sunday afternoon for Racing Metro’s crucial Top 14 derby clash with Stade Francais, I was afforded the opportunity to watch bucket loads of rugby last weekend.

Tony McGahan says Paul O’Connell is always striving to improve his own game and his team-mates.

Munster signing Andrew Smith has an eye for an opportunity and with midfield vacancies up for grabs this season the former Brumbies centre is looking to make a speedy impression.

Nobody expected Conor Murray to be Ireland’s first choice scrum-half during the 2011 World Cup — or to overtake his Welsh and English rivals in the battle for the No 9 jersey on the & Lions tour last year.

So all that is left are the handshakes and farewells, as Rob Penney departs Munster for a new coaching adventure in Japan.

As Munster players plan their holidays and how to pass the time during the off-season, Niall Ronan is working out what life will be like as a former professional rugby player.

Munster head of fitness Adam Trypas on why evolution, not revolution, is key to the province’s development

Having already lost inspirational captain Peter O’Mahony for the business end of the season, Rob Penney will be mindful of making sure his key personnel are fresh and raring to go when Munster set out to upset the odds once again by toppling Heineken Cup champions Toulon in Marseille on Sunday week.

Saying ‘yes’ was the easy part, but having fulfilled his ambition to be Munster head coach Anthony Foley will lean on the coaches he faithfully served as he prepares to take charge of his beloved province next season.

It was fun while it lasted and his departure will be keenly felt by some but having been spurned by Rob Penney, you can be sure Munster Rugby will dust itself down, pick itself up and carry on regardless.

Mike Prendergast believes Anthony Foley is the right man to take over from Rob Penney as Munster coach.

Paul O’Connell believes appointing Anthony Foley as Rob Penney’s successor at Munster has the players’ backing and says the New Zealander’s departure as head coach in June “doesn’t make a massive difference” to his desire to stay with the province.

Paul O'Connell has described how disappointed he is with the news that Rob Penney is to leave Munster at the end of the season.

Rob Penney looks certain to remain as Munster head coach for at least another season.

Tony McGahan may be opening a new chapter in his rugby life but Munster memories still burn brightly.

While some uncertainty remains about his future, Rob Penney is putting complete faith in his side.

Perpignan 17 Munster 18

Leicester, Wasps and Munster.

Munster head coach Rob Penney has spoken for the first time about his wish to stay in charge of the province beyond his initial two-year deal.

Munster have unearthed a new head of fitness - in Perpignan.

Munster 19 Leinster 15

Breakingnews.ie rugby correspondent Daniel Pitcher gives a snapshot of this weekend’s big inter-provincial derby between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park.