Johann van Graan: Why Lion Conor Murray always comes out on top

Munster swept aside inter-provincial rivals Ulster at Thomond Park on Friday night with a 38-10 bonus-point win

Munster’s Conor Murray releases possession as Ulster’s Alby Mathewson closes during the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup game at Thomond Park at the weekend. Munster coach Johann van Graan said: ‘Conor going on his third tour, world-class player, it seems that he’s been playing forever.’ Picture: Inpho/James Crombie

Johann van Graan insists Munster’s hunger has not changed since the focus of the season turned to the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup, an assertion borne out by Conor Murray and Tadhg Beirne’s performances in the weekend win over Ulster.

Munster swept aside their interprovincial rivals at Thomond Park on Friday night with a 38-10 bonus-point win that continued their unbeaten start in this condensed competition following the opening-round away win at Leinster. With only four rounds remaining in the 12-team league and the top two advancing to the Rainbow Cup final next month, van Graan’s side are in a healthy position to kick on and secure a spot in the decider with another home derby to come against Connacht in round three in Limerick this Friday.