Coughlan predicts big ‘scrap’ at breakdown from Treviso

The relief was palpable, the victory fully deserved and, for James Coughlan, it is time to move on to the next battle.

Italian side Treviso, flush from their RaboDirect Pro12 opening home victory over Ospreys at the weekend, provide Munster with a first chance on Friday at Thomond Park to show that last Saturday’s heroics on the road in Edinburgh was no random victory but the laying of an important foundation stone from which the province can progress under new head coach Rob Penney.

That it was done without Munster’s full complement of Irish internationals, the majority of whom are expected to return on September 14 at Ulster, was even more pleasing but number eight Coughlan disputes the premise that his less experienced teammates who earned that 23-18 Murrayfield victory are merely keeping the red shirts warm for more illustrious players.