'Optimistic' McMillan keen to build on Munster's fast start

Munster Head Coach Clayton McMillan. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

First impressions are everything and new head coach Clayton McMillan can feel quietly content with the outcome of his first game in charge at Munster.

Four tries, five points and a solid foundation have given him something to build on as he attempts to revitalise a team that have floundered somewhat since winning the United Rugby Championship so thrillingly in 2023.

Where Graham Rowntree once ruled, now the former Chiefs boss is hoping to take charge and change things for the better. A 34-21 away win over one of last season’s top eight sides was a good start.

‘’I’m happy to get the result and there was enough there for us to be optimistic about. There was some validation that the work we had put in during the pre-season was worthwhile,’’ said McMillan. "There were some parts of our game that I thought were really good and will stand us in good stead moving forward.

‘’There are good people in our building, management and coaches, and I haven’t come in to rewrite the script. There is some really good stuff that has been happening and it’s just about having a fresh pair of eyes to challenge the status quo.

‘’There are some things I feel strongly about that we are trying to embed, but it’s not all going to happen at once. It is a process we will work through over the next few months.

‘’I did a fair amount of homework on what has made Munster the team that they have been and the team that we want them to be. I’m trying to get those two things aligned in what they have traditionally done well and also what the current profile of the team best suits us.

‘’That’s not an overnight thing, it’s going to take a little while to embed. I just hope we keep getting better.’’ 

Craig Casey provided some spark as an interim captain and new recruit Dan Kelly looked very much at home at centre alongside the ‘Player of the Match’ Alex Nankivell. 

They were paired together by accident having failed to be matched up during the pre-season games, with England cap Kelly picking up a debut try.

‘’Tom Farrell’s injury meant we had to go to a combination in midfield that we hadn’t really tried in pre-season. It was a bit of a calculated risk, although both those guys have played at No 12 and No 13 and are experienced players, and I thought they did really well on both sides of the ball,’’ added McMillen.

‘’This was always going to be a tricky assignment travelling away in week one to face a team we respect. They also had some confidence out of how they finished last season.

‘’There were a few eye-catching moments in attack, but I was more impressed with the one produced by Jack O’Donaghue in saving a try. If you have a team that can show that kind of desperation and pride it will take you a long way.

‘’The flashy stuff looks good on TV and makes headlines, but it is the effort and unseen stuff off the ball that has a big impact on the game. We had some long, gritty defensive sets – some character-building stuff that shows people care.’’