Rookies seizing their chance in Munster's best start for 12 years

OUTSTANDING: Munster’s Gavin Coombes celebrates scoring a try, one of three for the No 8, with Darren Sweetnam during the Guinness PRO14 clash with Ospreys at Thomond Park. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Johann van Graan was unaware he was witnessing Munster’s best start to a season since 2008 and it will matter not a jot to him after this Guinness PRO14 victory. What does matter to the head coach is that he is overseeing a squad growing stronger and deeper with every win.

Yesterday’s 38-22 bonus-point victory was Munster’s fifth in a row and it stretched their lead at the top of Conference B to eight points with a game in hand over Scarlets in second place, valuable points in the bank in the quest for a home play-off semi-final that has eluded van Graan in each of his three previous attempts.