Heart, guts, belief: The assets Johann van Graan inherits

Munster 14 Racing 7: Heart, guts, belief. Rassie Erasmus neatly summarised the attributes in the Munster squad that he hands over to Johann van Graan over the next month or so and which his successor saw at first hand on an archetypal European night at Thomond Park.

Munster ground out a priceless and essential home win to build on their Champions Cup first-round draw at Castres six days earlier. Conor Murray broke an hour-long deadlock with a charge-down of Maxime Machenaud’s kick from the back of a scrum that the Irishman chased, expertly lifting the ball off his bootstraps to score the first five points of a rain-sodden arm-wrestle.

Another try 10 minutes later from substitute wing Andrew Conway, both converted by Ian Keatley gave Munster the cushion they needed and though Racing hit back with a Leone Nakawara try, converted by Teddy Iribaren, the home side defended with heart and resolve to see the job through and claim four points with the concession of a losing bonus point to the visitors.