Tomás has no doubts Munster could yet bounce back with a double

Tomás O’Leary has backed Munster to end Leinster’s run of Heineken Cup success and believes his former club could complete the double this season.

Munster have undergone a summer of change, with Rob Penney replacing Tony McGahan as Director of Rugby and the likes of Jerry Flannery, David Wallace, Mick O’Driscoll, Denis Leamy and Lifeimi Mafi all either retiring or moving on.

O’Leary, who ended a seven-year spell at Thomond Park to sign for London Irish this summer, insists Munster can still compete against the best and backed them for glory in both the Heineken Cup and RaboDirect Pro12.

“I think Munster can win the Heineken Cup,” said O’Leary.

“Leinster are a good bit ahead of all the other teams in Europe, to be fair but if you look at the teams that can beat them on any given day, then I firmly believe Munster are one of those sides. I only think there are two or three of them in Europe. But Munster are one of them so I have high hopes for them in the upcoming season — both in Heineken Cup and the Pro12 — and I think they’ll do very well.”