Daly enjoying new expansive philosophy of Prendergast and Lawler

Shane Daly’s positivity spreads to the gameplan, which he feels has been augmented by the arrival from Connacht of former Munster back Lawler as skills coach.

ENJOYABLE RUGBY: Shane Daly is enjoying the new expansive approach which Mike Prendergast and Mossy Lawler have brought to Munster this year. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

If ever proof were needed of Munster’s attacking evolution under Mike Prendergast, and latterly Mossy Lawler, last Saturday’s seven-try hammering of the Dragons provided it. What’s more, Shane Daly’s enthusiasm for it explains why it is such a hit with players and supporters alike.

Daly, playing at full-back at the start of the BKT URC champions’ title defence in the absence of the injured Mike Haley, has experienced the transition from Stephen Larkham’s approach under former boss Johann van Graan to the more expansive philosophy of Prendergast from numbers 11, 14 and 15. 

For the 26-year-old, it has been a pleasure to get a regular run of games under the new regime as both he and Calvin Nash emerged from the considerable shadows of established wings Keith Earls and Andrew Conway, taking full advantage of the injury problems of both seasoned Irish internationals.

Their talents have never been in question, with Daly making his Ireland debut against Georgia in November 2022 and adding to his cap tally the following summer against Japan while Nash’s run in the Munster starting XV earned him a spot in Andy Farrell’s World Cup training squad during the summer.

Judging by early-season form, further recognition could be not too far away with Daly and Nash both contributing to Munster’s blistering performance at Musgrave Park at the weekend. A Nash linebreak made the opening try for Rory Scannell and then he scored two more in a man of the match performance before his evening concluded with a knee injury.

Munster will monitor the wing’s recovery this week to assess his readiness for Friday’s trip to Belfast and the first URC interpro of their campaign against Ulster.

“I was chatting to him after, he doesn’t seem too bad so hopefully it’s not too bad,” was the layman’s opinion offered by Daly, who made his mark on home ground in Cork with a try assist for Craig Casey.

“Me and Calvin came through the academy together and under Johann probably sat behind Earlsy and Conway and were always trying to get in the squad so we’ve followed similar enough paths.

“I’m so happy to see him play so well because he’s an unbelievable play and he’s a great fella as well so delighted for him tonight, he was our best player by far.” 

Daly’s positivity spreads to the gameplan, which he feels has been augmented by the arrival from Connacht of former Munster back Lawler as skills coach.

“It’s really enjoyable rugby. It’s the rugby I personally love playing. I’ve moved around positions over the last season and it’s exciting. Everything’s a new challenge and we’re just playing good rugby.

“We’re trying to play the ball to space, it’s enjoyable to play and I’d imagine it’s enjoyable for fans to watch so it’s just a good team to be involved in and I’m loving playing for Munster.” Prendergast, Daly added, has “been incredible”.

“Last year you saw how much our attack was transformed in the space of 12 months. Obviously there was a period where it wasn’t firing but they were teething issues, it wasn’t what we were trying to do was wrong.

“Then the introduction of Mossy Lawler has been incredible as well. He’s layered on top of what Prendy’s is bringing, another layer of detail and you saw some of the tries (against the Dragons) came as a direct result from those type of things.

“So the two of them in combination has been great for us.” 

It is the sort of attacking style that has fostered in this Munster squad that they are capable of a successful title defence this season and a long-awaited breakthrough in the Champions Cup following early knockout round exits in each of the last three European campaigns.

“We really think we can beat any team that’s put in front of us. If we are on our own game I really think we can beat anyone.

“We won the URC last year, we want to go one step further and have a real crack off Europe this year. So we’ll take one game at a time but we do believe we can beat anybody.” 

That represents a confidence that will be more than useful as Munster head to Kingspan Stadium looking to repeat their most recent visit, a 15-14 victory last January 1.

“Yeah, we’ve come a long way from that game as well,” Daly said. “That was probably one of the swing points for us last season when we got the win up there with the last kick of the game so good memories but I’m sure they’re going to want to get one back on us. It will be a tough game.”