Payne backs de Villiers to shine

Munster team manager Shaun Payne believes that star summer signing Jean de Villiers will prove a 'perfect fit' for the province.

The reigning Magners League champions announced the capture of the South African centre last month but de Villiers will not arrive in Ireland until the middle of September because of his ongoing involvement in the Springboks’ Tri-Nations campaign.

However, Payne, who was born in Cape Town, is confident that de Villiers will hit the ground running, believing that his compatriot will have little trouble adjusting to the Munster ethos.

“Jean (de Villiers) is a perfect fit for us. I’ve known Jean over the years and I’ve had a few chats with him, especially over the last while. He is mad about rugby, he lives for his rugby as well and is a very sociable guy. He has built-in respect already from the players and I think he’ll fit in,” Payne said.

“I came into Munster and to be honest it is hard not to fit into Munster. It’s easy to buy into.”

Payne is also confident that French prop Julien Brugnaut, who has been tempted away from Dax, will also prove a shrewd acquisition by Munster.

“We have studied many of his games. We’ve seen what he’s capable of. He’s a very strong and capable player. He sees it as a big honour to play for Munster; really, really keen for it,” he revealed.

“There is an unknown factor about it. But he plays both sides of the scrum at tight-head and loose-head and he seems to be quite dynamic; able to get around the park. I’ve a good feeling about him.”

According to Payne, though, the surprise package could prove to be Toby Morland, who has arrived from New Zealand on a six-month deal.

“He’s a scrum-half, who just came off a beating in the Super 14 final (with the Chiefs) but he’s technically very, very good as you’d expect from a New Zealander," he explained.

“He’s tough as nails. You can only see so much at training but what we’ve seen so far we’re very impressed.”