Ronan hails Munster young guns in fine start

IRISH flanker Niall Ronan has hailed Munster’s talented next generation.

Despite the absence of several high profile internationals, Tony McGahan’s men are unbeaten in the RaboDirect Pro12 campaign and travel to face Edinburgh on Friday with confidence high.

With four wins from four in the campaign, Ronan and his colleagues are on course to hit McGahan’s target of six successive victories to start the province’s title defence.

Ronan said: “A lot of the credit must go to the coaching staff for the work they’ve put in, especially with the younger players to get them up to the standard needed to compete at this level. They have proved themselves mentally and physically strong and good enough for this level. I suppose the proof is in the results and the belief we could win our first six games hasn’t been misplaced.”

One of those youngsters, Peter O’Mahony, has been entrusted with the captaincy in the absence of Paul O’Connell, and Ronan believes it has been an inspired choice.

He added: “He’s doing a great job, playing brilliantly and is going to be the next long-term Munster captain. Captains have to be good leaders and Peter is in that category; he’s vocal but also leads by example.

But Ronan also heaped praise on senior players, admitting: “Our set-piece has improved in leaps and bounds and when you put all that together with the experience of the likes of Dougie [Howlett], Mafs [Lifeimi Mafi] and Micko [O’Driscoll], we go out with the belief we can win any game.”

Ulster look set to leave injured duo Jared Payne and Ian Humphreys on the sidelines for Friday’s trip to face the Newport Gwent Dragons, while international centre Darren Cave is also ruled out.

Hooker Andy Kyriacou has a neck injury and is rated doubtful.

See Results page for squads.