James Coughlan loving life at French side Pau

The growing Munster contingent in Pau is settling into life in the top flight in France and showed at the weekend they have what it takes to cut it amongst the best in the richest rugby league in the world.

Pau, promoted last season with former Munster backs coach Simon Mannix at the helm, made it two homes wins from two when they edged out Toulouse 9-6.

And with James Coughlan, who was one of their key players when they ran away with the Pro D2 title last year, being joined this season by two more ex-Munster players in Paddy Butler and Sean Dougall, the Irish influence continues to grow. Add in video performance analysts Elliot Corcoran and Paddy O’Sullivan, and the Munster influence is even greater.