Rugby: Alan’s cup of plenty

ALAN GAFFNEY is enjoying rugby life with Munster. The mercury may be at a lower setting than anything he experienced during a Sydney January, but the passion for rugby is just as high.

So too is the expectation. Which makes the affable Australian acutely aware of the downward pressure that could be exerted on his neck should Munster fail to sparkle over the next two weeks of their latest Heineken Cup quest.

He has another 18 months to run on his contract and would like to stay beyond that deadline. Whether he does or not will be determined by his ability to steer his side past Gloucester once again and into the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup and preferably beyond.