'If there's too much structure you can get lost': Damian de Allende enjoying Munster freedom

Despite the improvement Munster have made since his arrival, Damian de Allende says Leinster remain the yardstick

Damian de Allende has been impressed with Stephen Larkham’s impact on Munster’s attack. ‘I think for me personally what I can see Stephen’s bringing to the guys the freedom of decision-making,’ the 29-year-old South African says. Picture: Inpho/Laszlo Geczo

In his short time at Munster, Damian de Allende has seen the progress his new Munster team-mates have made and the impact their coaches are having on the way the province plays, but for the World Cup-winning Springbok, Leinster remain the yardstick.

It was the arch-rivals in blue that de Allende faced first following his much-heralded move from Japan last summer, the superstar centre making his debut in red at Aviva Stadium when the Guinness PRO14 resumed from suspension on August 22. This Saturday will be his third attempt to beat the defending champions and a victory at Thomond Park would certainly make for a significant milestone in Munster’s progress. But it will need a similarly significant statement performance to get there and the South African believes under the guidance of head coach and compatriot Johann van Graan and senior coach Stephen Larkham that this is a team now capable of delivering it.