Brian Walsh hails model professional Francis Saili

Assistant coach Brian Walsh will be looking for new signing Francis Saili to bring an extra dimension to Munster’s play in tonight’s final pre-season friendly against London Irish at Musgrave Park (7pm).

Walsh has noted the influence Saili is exerting on the younger players since his recent arrival and believes that will grow in the months ahead: “The guy is an All-Black. To get to that standard you need a lot of very strong characteristics.

“He has been very good for us. From a leadership point of view he has been very productive in terms of the way he talks around the group, the standards etc, and obviously he has a very strong skill set.