McGahan: That was a big step forward

AT last, Munster secured a victory at the third time of asking in this pre-season programme — a timely boost in advance of Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 league opener at Musgrave Park against Newport Gwent Dragons.

It was far from exhibition stuff but neither was it anything as objectionable as could be suggested by referee Alain Rolland brandishing one red and three yellow cards in the closing quarter of a competitive encounter.

The visitors’ former Ireland underage star James Sandford saw red for an alleged head-butt offence, while Peter Borlase (reacting), Niall Ronan and Damian Varley (technical) all followed him to the sideline, albeit for shorter 10-minute spells, leaving Munster to variously play 14 against 14 or 13 against 14.