Dougall in the shape of his life for new season

Preparing for his second season with Munster, Dougall is hoping to impress coach Rob Penney in the RaboDirect Pro12 clash against Edinburgh at Musgrave Park tomorrow night (7.15pm) and get his name on the Heineken Cup panel which must be finalised by September 19.

Despite Dougall’s frustration at missing out for most of the big games last year, he can look back with pride on his two European appearances when he scored tries against Racing Metro and Edinburgh before a knee ligament injury.

Although disappointed at the restrictions imposed on him, he is looking forward rather than back.

“Injuries are part and parcel of rugby and sport in general,” he says. “Obviously, it was frustrating but I feel I’ve come back each time in a good condition and I need to take my chances for the rest of the season and hopefully stay injury free. Now it’s just about keeping my head down and working hard and being able to perform when I get my chances.”

One way or another Munster can enjoy the fruits of last year’s labour which resulted in a disappointing RaboDirect campaign that saw them reach yet another Heineken Cup semi-final.

Gone are iconic figures Ronan O’Gara and Doug Howlett, but Dougall predicts good things for Penney and a number of talented youngsters coming through.

“I think the fact some players have left and there are some new faces around means there’s a bit of a buzz and it’s really exciting. We’ve been training for eight weeks and we just want to get going now and kick on with the new season. You look at the players that got international honours last year, even fellas who’ve come through and cemented a place down in the squad, and it’s exciting. While it’s not nice to see ROG and Dougie go, they’ve left a legacy behind them. Young lads want to achieve some of the success they’ve achieved. I think there was a few frustrating periods in last season where we weren’t performing to the level we want to but as we showed in the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup we can match that level and I think with the year behind us already under Rob’s game plan it’s just a really promising future ahead for us this season.”

Dougall described that win over Harlequins at the Stoop as a defining moment in Munster’s season and one that provided a major boost in confidence. “I wasn’t involved myself but just the change in atmosphere after that game in terms of belief was huge; it was disappointing that we didn’t go the whole way but it was definitely a step in the right direction I think.

“The majority of that squad are still here this year and everyone, as I said after this preseason, is really focused and want to go another few steps further this year.”