Noel McNamara helped Thaakir Abrahams improve his ability to find space within a game

Thaakir Abrahams' comes up against former coach Noel McNamara when Munster take on Bordeaux Bègles on Saturday in the Champions Cup quarter-final.

SCAN AND FIND: Thaakir Abrahams' comes up against former coach Noel McNamara when Munster take on Bordeaux Bègles on Saturday in the Champions Cup quarter-final. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Do Munster have Bordeaux-Bègles attack coach Noel McNamara to thank for the moment of magic that set them on the road to a famous victory at La Rochelle last Saturday?

Thaakir Abrahams’ explanation of what the former Ireland U20s head coach did for his game when he was starting out at the Sharks may encapsulate what went into his brilliant counter-attack at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. It was a break which showcased the South African’s step, acceleration and outrageous pace to set Craig Casey up for Munster’s opening try of a 25-24 Champions Cup Round of 16 victory in France last weekend, which sets up a quarter-final in Bordeaux this Saturday and a reunion with McNamara.