Opportunity knocks to vent Munster frustrations in URC derby

4 January 2022; Ben Healy during Munster rugby squad training at University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

With all the discontented noise buzzing around Munster following their desperately poor performance at Connacht, Johann van Graan must surely know he needs to engineer a sharp improvement when Ulster visit Thomond Park on Saturday night.

Last Saturday’s 10-8 United Rugby Championship defeat in Galway left Van Graan’s team nine points adrift of Irish Shield leaders and current overall league table toppers Leinster and five behind this weekend’s derby rivals, with Munster at least having a game in hand on both provinces.