Johann van Graan rejects criticism of Munster tactical approach

'Gavin Coombes, Shane Daly, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, John Hodnett, Thomas Ahern, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, I believe all of those players can play Test rugby'

Craig Casey of Munster dives over to score his side's seventh try against Zebre earlier this week. Casey is one of a number of young players who graduated to the senior team this season. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Johann van Graan refuses to accept Munster cannot compete with Leinster and refutes the criticism he got his tactical approach wrong in last season’s PR014 semi-final defeat to their arch-rivals.

Munster’s gameplan in the 13-3 loss on September 4 came in for plenty of stick from pundits as Conor Murray launched box kick after box kick into the Dublin sky with little effect, while JJ Hanrahan missed two crucial second-half penalties when trailing 10-3. Yet the Munster boss believes there was more than one team going to the air that night and the only difference was Leinster’s better execution in wet weather.