Williams backs Munster to continue Euro reign

JIM WILLIAMS believes Heineken Cup champions Munster can secure back-to-back titles.

The Irish province have made a smooth start to their Europe defence with successive wins over Montauban and Sale Sharks.

Munster travel to France on Sunday for a rerun of last year’s pool clash with Clermont Auvergne.

And former Munster player and forwards coach Williams believes the Red Army will retain their crown at Murrayfield in May.

Williams said: “Munster can win it again. It’s difficult to win back-to-back titles because Leicester Tigers are the only team to have managed it, back in 2002.

“The main challenge will come from Toulouse again. They are always there or thereabouts, while I expect an English team like Leicester to come on strong.

“But Munster are a better team now, with great young players like Keith Earls and Billy Holland coming through.

“They’ve performed exceptionally well so far this season, while the short-term signing of Justin Melck from South Africa was a huge bonus.

“Of course, winning the first one is always the hardest but every year the competition is getting tougher.

“But this is a really close-knit Munster group and I know the players have the passion and desire to achieve something special again.”

Williams was part of the Munster coaching set-up when the province claimed Europe’s biggest prize with a stunning 16-13 triumph over Toulouse in May to add to their success in 2006 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

But despite the backdrop of several managerial changes at Thomond Park last summer, new boss Tony McGahan has guided his men three points clear at the summit of Pool A.

And Williams, now Australia’s assistant coach, sent a chilling warning to Munster’s European rivals by insisting Paul O’Connell’s men can only get better.

Williams said: “Although they have had great success, the players always want more. They’ve had a great start to the Magners League which has helped their European performances.

“They’re a clinical team, with quality players like Ronan O’Gara, who can change and adapt the set game-plan.

“Munster, with the community spirit and great fans, work so hard for each other and have such self-belief and confidence that they have to maintain their standards.”