Hayes: Reds ‘in a very good place’

Munster rugby legend John Hayes is backing Munster’s “unfamiliar” new guard to uphold the province’s proud tradition in the Heineken Cup and get a result in their opening game against Racing Metro at Stade de France tomorrow.

This is Munster’s first European campaign in 15 years without The Bull featuring in their front row, but while he has yet to attend a Munster game in the flesh since his retirement, Hayes has been impressed from afar by the attacking line-up Rob Penney is putting together.

“I think Munster are in a very good place. They’re definitely in a better place than what people think,” says Hayes, whose autobiography is topping the bestselling charts.