Billy Holland content to let Jean Kleyn take Munster limelight

Billy Holland may be the senior partner in the Munster second row these days but he is perfectly happy to let fellow lock Jean Kleyn steal the limelight as they perform their separate roles, South African style.

At 24, Kleyn is eight years Holland’s junior and his form following a trouble-free pre-season suggests there is much more to come from the former Stormer than was showcased during an injury-hit first campaign in red. Four tries in the first three games of the Guinness Pro14 so far would be the envy of many a back-three player, never mind a second row and Kleyn’s packmates are taking his fondness for the tryline with a pinch of salt.

“Jean’s trying to take over from (prop) Dave Kilcoyne, I think,” Holland joked. “Anytime we get within a yard of the line he pops up. He’s getting a bit of a slagging over that but he’s a hard man to stop from a yard or two out and he’s been driven over a few times by a few of his team-mates. He’s telling us he’s very appreciative of the help but it’s not stopping him from getting on the ball anyway.”