Conor Murray: Johann Van Graan can’t change too much too quickly

Conor Murray is backing new head coach Johann van Graan not to implement sweeping change to the Munster gameplan as the squad transitions to the new management team.

Munster face old European rivals Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park on Saturday in the first of two pivotal back-to-back pool meetings for their Champions Cup qualification hopes with Murray set to play for the first time under the 37-year-old former Springbok assistant coach, who succeeded countryman Rassie Erasmus last month while scrum-half Murray was on Ireland duty.

A new defence coach will also be appointed in the near future, with JP Ferreira tipped to replace Jacques Nienaber after his Johannesburg-based Super Rugby franchise the Lions revealed he was in talks with the Irish province.