Munster star James Cronin hit with four-week ban

Munster prop James Cronin has been handed a four-week suspension by a disciplinary committee after being found guilty of stamping on Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park during his side’s Guinness Pro12 defeat to their provincial rivals last weekend.

Cronin was cited for the second-half stamping incident, with the prop making contact with Gibson-Park’s face.

Cronin, who has the option of appealing, is due to miss his side’s Champions Cup encounters against Racing and Glasgow, and the PRO12 fixtures against Ulster and Ospreys.

Meanwhile, Gregor Townsendhas revealed he had a good chuckle when Rassie Erasmus tried to make Munster out to be the weak link in Pool 1 of this year’s Champions Cup.

The Irish province’s director of rugby made the claim at last week’s tournament launch at a time when Munster sat above Townsend’s Glasgow in the Guinness PRO12 ladder.

Munster’s defeat to Leinster at the weekend, allied to a narrow win for the Scots away to Zebre, saw the pair swap places in that regard but Townsend certainly isn’t taking the Irish for granted in a pool that also boasts Racing 92 and Leicester Tigers.

“They have a strong coaching group,” said the Glasgow boss. “They look very organised, they have a lot of young players coming through. They have a deserved pedigree in Europe.”

Glasgow, on the other hand, don’t.

The club has competed in Europe’s top-tier tournament 17 times, only managing to prolong an interest beyond the pool stage at the very first attempt back in 1997/98 when they lost a quarter-final play-off to the Tigers.

It’s an appalling record and improving on it is an obvious priority for a club. But Townsend is certain that they aren’t all that far away.

“Close games against top teams in European competition can be won on small things,” he explained. “You get in their 22 and make that right pass or decision... a yellow or red card can change things.”