Stephen Larkham: Munster's attacking game coming into shape nicely

Haley’s 28th-minute try in Clermont on December 19 neatly encapsulated what the former World Cup-winning fly-half has been striving for

Munster’s Mike Haley and Peter O’Mahony celebrate CJ Stander scoring a try in the Champions Cup win over Clermont. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

It was the try that kick-started Munster’s fightback to their famous victory against Clermont last month but more than that, Mike Haley’s score at Stade Marcel Michelin proved to Stephen Larkham that his development of the province’s attacking gameplan is really taking shape.

For the former Wallabies attack coach, the evolution of Munster’s oft-derided offence since his arrival from his native Australia to join Johann van Graan’s new-look backroom team in August 2019 has always been more than just a simple desire to get the ball out wide. Who was getting it out there and how are just as fundamental to Larkham’s vision for the men in red.