Williams: Knee-jerk reactions won’t help

JIM WILLIAMS has warned Munster to resist the temptation of making wholesale changes to the backroom and playing staff this year.

But the retired skipper and forwards’ coach believes the likely appointment of former team-mate and Ireland number eight Anthony Foley as Lawrie Fisher’s replacement could be a masterstroke by the Red Army.

“Munster have only had one bad season in the last 13 and this year they are top of the Magners League again, so there’s no point making any big changes,” Williams said.

“There’s isn’t much wrong with the team so there’s nothing to be gained from sacking coaches and signing lots of new players in a short space of time; it leads to all sorts of problems.

“For one thing, it would take time for a new coaching team to establish their ideas and in that time the team could go backwards. The only area that needs improving is the set-piece. They need to be more consistent but that’s something they can work on.”

Williams still keeps in touch with some of his former Munster team-mates but as a key member of Australia’s coaching set-up, he sees his long-term future in the southern hemisphere whilst never ruling out a fairytale return to Cork.

“I had a fantastic time at Munster and playing in the Magners League and the Heineken Cup was one of the highlights of my career,” he added. “I still keep in touch with a lot of the guys quite regularly and I’ve always said I miss being there.

“Keith Earls, Paul O’Connell, Mick O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara are quality people as well as being quality players. I also speak to Tony McGahan and he keeps me up to date with everything that’s happening.

“None of the players ask for my advice because they don’t need it, but — like them — I’m a Munster supporter and the club will always have a special place in my heart.

“I’m happy working with the Wallabies and in the future, a coaching role at a Super 15 side appeals to me, but Munster is also a possibility.”

The southern hemisphere’s new franchise, the Melbourne Rebels, endured a miserable 43-0 defeat to the Waratahs in the opening game yesterday at AAMI Park.

England fly-half Danny Cirpriani experienced a chastening debut as the Waratahs, last season’s semi-finalists, scored tries through Kurtley Beale (two), Drew Mitchell (two), Tatafu Polota-Nau, Rob Horne and Phil Waugh to claim a comfortable win.