Ray of hope as Foley’s fledglings pack big punch

Munster A 64 Esher 9

A nine-try demolition of British & Irish Cup strugglers Esher showed that Munster’s emerging players have the appetite and know-how to get a job done and with one match to go in the group stages it solidifies the province’s chances of progressing from the top two of Pool B to the knockout stages.

That will give them the chance of further examination in harder battles ahead, starting next month in Bristol and while some will also get their opportunity to further their individual causes on Magners League duty in the absence of the Ireland players on Six Nations duty, head coach Tony McGahan this week made it clear that he is not prepared to throw untested players into the fray for the sake of it.