Stander hoping to bring red-hot form into Munster’s trip to Sale

ANOTHER league game, another rave review, but CJ Stander is taking nothing for granted when competition for places in the Munster back-row places is so intense ahead of Saturday’s European opener at Sale Sharks.

South African Stander has started his third season with the province like a runaway train as he nears qualification for Ireland Test recognition, but to realise his dream of eventually pulling on a green jersey, the 25-year-old is no doubt acutely aware of the need to be involved at the highest level for one’s club.

For Munster that means the European Rugby Champions Cup and for all the good a man of the match award in the Guinness Pro12 win over Scarlets last Friday did him, there is no guarantee Stander will retain his place in the starting line-up for this weekend’s Pool 1 trip to the AJ Bell Stadium.