McMillan backs experienced JJ Hanrahan to deliver on big European stage 

Munster's JJ Hanrahan. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Munster boss Clayton McMillan has "plumped for experience" in handing the fly-half reins to JJ Hanrahan for the province's Champions Cup opener against Premiership big guns Bath at the Rec. 

With Jack Crowley's absence through an ankle injury confirmed early on Friday, McMillan's choice for the vacant No. 10 jersey pitted JJ Hanrahan against Tony Butler, and given the magnitude of the game, the head coach and his coaching staff felt opting for the experience of 33-year-old Hanrahan was the right choice for the occasion, while Butler misses out on the matchday 23 altogether. 

McMillan pointed to how well Kerry native Hanrahan has gone in training in the lead-up to the competition opener, noting he has produced a decent week's worth of preparation to face opposite number, Scotland's Finn Russell. 

"He's been great, actually," McMillan said. "I think he's probably been a little bit nervous around the way that Tony Butler played when we played the Argentinian team. He really took his opportunity, and that was rewarded with selection on the bench last week.

"Unfortunately, the way that the game sort of unfolded, we didn't get a chance to put him out on the field. And then in Jack's absence, we've really just plumped for the experience of JJ. He's accustomed to playing some pretty decent fixtures, and this is one of those ones.

"So he gets the nod this week. Having been under pressure to hold the spot in the squad, I think we've seen him produce some of his best weeks in training. So if we can transfer that into a performance, then it'll help put us in a good state."

With McMillan giving Crowley "a fairly strong chance" of returning in time for the Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh clash with Gloucester next week, Hanrahan will be keen to impress and keep young challenger Butler behind him in the pecking order. 

The loss of Crowley's leadership has been offset by Springbok lock Jean Kleyn's inclusion in the starting 15 for the clash with the English Premiership and Challenge Cup champions, having been away on international duty with Rassie Erasmus' South Africa for their 73-0 drubbing of Wales last week.

Kleyn's absence was felt - most notably in the scrum - in the game of the two halves defeat to the Stormers last Saturday evening and McMillan touched on what he will add to the pack this Saturday.

"Yeah, he's a big man, experienced. It's that big body that is required in these types of fixtures. He's been a welcome addition.

"He's a good quality man who is Munster through and through, he has been part of the furniture for a long time now and we miss him when he's not there so we're really grateful to have him back."

Referring specifically to the impact Kleyn will bring to the Munster scrum, McMillan added: JK definitely helps. Outside of tighthead props, tighthead locks are your next most valuable men on the teamsheet. 

"He's going to add value there, but scrummaging for me is an eight-man job.

"The guys numbered one, two and three have the spotlight put on them, but really their ability to function relies heavily on the other five blokes giving them everything they've got. That's been our focus."