Hines: Backroom staff don’t need my advice

You’d think a man who lived in Ireland for a couple of years would be spending a lot of time with the Clermont Auvergne backroom staff ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Munster.

Not so, says Nathan Hines. The much-travelled Scottish international enjoyed his seasons with Leinster but he hasn’t been pestered by coaches looking for an insight into their Irish opponents.

“The backroom staff here are pretty good, obviously — they don’t need me to tell them just how much quality Munster can bring to a Heineken Cup knock-out game, particularly after their win away to Harlequins.