McMillan aiming to build Munster momentum on Bridgend return

The New Zealander has made six changes from the Gloucester win at Pairc Uí Chaoimh, in part due to IRFU player welfare mandates regarding Ireland internationals.

Premier Sport's Graham Little, Tom Shanklin,  Simon Zebo and Matt Banahan speak with Munster's Head Coach Clayton McMillan after the match at Cork GAA HQ. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Munster switch back from Champions Cup rugby to the URC campaign when they visit Bridgend for the first time in 24 years to meet Ospreys on Saturday (5:30pm) and the learnings keep coming as far as Clayton McMillan is concerned.

Ten games into his tenure since leaving the Chiefs for life in the Northern Hemisphere, the New Zealander is playing the long game as he ushers Munster into a new era. His arrival during the summer coincided with the retirements of some key dressing-room figures such as Stephen Archer, Dave Kilcoyne, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony, as well as long-standing team manager and former coach Niall O’Donovan and the getting-to-know-you process has seen the incoming head coach run the rule over 49 players.