Gaffney happy to be back in familiar surroundings

ALAN GAFFNEY last night returned to Thomond Park, a ground he knew and loved from his time with Munster, as he looked forward to helping mastermind an impressive performance from Ireland in tomorrow’s clash with Canada.

It was at the helm for Munster in their unforgettable Heineken Cup win over Gloucester at the Limerick venue in January, 2003. He then moved on to become backs coach to the national side back in his native Australia before returning to the Northern Hemisphere where he linked up with Saracens.

As if to prove there was no breaking of the umbilical cord that tied the amiable Aussie to Munster, he coached the English club in last season’s semi-final at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry where only two points separated the sides at the finish.