Leamy backs Munster’s road-hardened smarts for Bath Champions Cup test 

Munster face Bath in their opening game of the Champions Cup knowing they will need their best performance of the season to leave the the Rec with something meaningful

The selection of the more experienced JJ Hanrahan at 10 over the promising Tony Butler, along with a 6-2 bench split, suggests Munster are taking a pragmatic approach for their Champions Cup opener against Bath. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Denis Leamy has seen enough from his three years working with the current squad to have seen them develop the rugby chops on the road to negotiate the extremely demanding challenge facing Munster in Bath on Saturday night.

Last weekend’s Thomond Park defeat at the hands of the URC-leading Stormers not only ended the winning start to new head coach Clayton McMillan’s reign, but the manner of it highlighted the size of the task awaiting McMillan’s men at the home of the English champions and current league leaders when they arrive at The Rec.