A new Munster chapter set to be written

Munster’s brave new world begins in Llanelli this afternoon with a difficult opening Guinness PRO12 assignment against Scarlets. The question being asked by the province’s followers is whether the new Rassie Erasmus regime will take a tentative first step or determined stride forward after the disappointments of past seasons.

Incoming director of rugby Erasmus, along with his fellow South African Jacques Nienaber as defence coach, will certainly need to hit the ground running against a potentially rocket-fuelled Scarlets backline if they are to start their debut competitive season with a victory.

The Welsh regions en bloc have underperformed in the league for so many seasons now, with Ospreys the most recent PRO12 champions in 2012 but they collectively pulled their socks up and none more so than in West Wales under Wayne Pivac.