To the rest of Europe, here’s a warning: keep an eye on Munster

I got off a flight in Christchurch Sunday weary and with the seat of the pants stuck to my backside. By Monday morning though, the first shrill whistle of Crusaders’ pre-season had that whiff of fresh ambition about it, writes Ronan O'Gara.

For the likes of Ollie Jager, the young Irish lad who greeted me on my first morning here a year ago, desperate for one of those prized Super Rugby contracts. Ollie came down here from Dublin as a back row but five years and some serious extra kgs later he’s been turned into a tighthead. Last year his hopes and dreams were cut short by a serious shoulder injury, ending his season before it ever got started.