Clayton McMillan lauds ‘cool, calm and collected’ Tom Wood

Tom Wood of Ireland with his mum Nicola, and dad Keith, after the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has praised the composure of “cool, calm, and collected” 19-year-old out-half Tom Wood ahead of the Ireland U20 likely featuring in Munster’s URC clash against Zebre in Thomond Park today.

“He’s got a very good left boot, which is a little underestimated in rugby, having a balance of left- and right-footers in your team.

“In the absence of Craig Casey, we don’t have too many other natural left-footers. He gives us that, which is another string to his bow.”

Wood, a third-generation Munster player, following in the footsteps of father Keith and grandfather Gordon, aims to break into the first team after making his debut for the side against Glasgow Warriors in January.

“I’ve been really impressed with him, ” said McMillan. “He’s one of those players who has the gift of time, or at least gives the impression that he has a lot of time. That’s a very good skill to have when you’re in a pivotal role.

“He comes from pretty good stock, so we know that it’s in the blood. He’s his own man — very cool, calm, and collected.”

McMillan also threw bouquets in the direction of Michael Milne and Jeremy Loughman, who’ve both featured for Ireland at the Six Nations in recent weeks and are both going head-to-head for the loosehead position in Andy Farrell’s team.

Loughman has started all three games, in the absence of stalwart Andrew Porter. Milne, meanwhile, featured in the opener in Paris.

“Michael is one of those guys who has come back, and obviously got a look-in for Ireland, and did extremely well. His appearance off the bench against France was a very positive one, and he too will have been disappointed to have missed out on the last couple of Tests.

“No one has the right of passage, obviously, so others have been given an opportunity and done well. We’re pleased with Jeremy Loughman too, who managed to solidify himself as a loose-head in the absence of others. He’s done a really good job, and put a bit of pressure on those who will be returning.”

Munster face a stiff test against Azzurri outfit Zebre, and after a three-week break, McMillan says there’s “high energy” in the camp going into the fixture.

“After our last game against Glasgow we had a week off, then we’ve been back into work for the last three weeks, so there’s no rest for the wicked.

“It’s a little bit weird to me to be have such large breaks in between games, but it does offer an opportunity to sort of reset and work on a couple of things needed.

“So, it’s been a positive week, and there’s high energy in the team going into a game against a quality side.”

McMillan has made 10 changes to the side that lost to Glasgow Warriors last time out. Ireland returnees Milne and Tom Farrell step straight back into the starting line-up, with Edwin Edogbo placed on the bench.

Munster lost their last three matches at Thomond Park in all competitions and, having not lost four in a row at the venue in the professional era, will look to avoid that with a win against a struggling Zebre side who have themselves lost their last nine league matches.

MUNSTER: M Haley; C Nash, T Farrell, D Kelly, S Daly, JJ Hanrahan, P Patterson; M Milne, N Scannell, M Ala’alatoa; J Kleyn, F Wycherley; G Coombes, J O’Donoghue (C), B Gleeson.

Replacements: L Barron, J Wycherley, J Ryan, E Edogbo, A Kendellen, E Coughlan, T Wood, S O’Brien.

ZEBRE: G Montemauri; A Batista, G Bertaccini, D Mazza, S Gesi, G Da Re, G Garcia; J Pitinari, G Ribaldi, E Pieretto, M Canali, A Ortombina, B Stavile, S Locatelli, G Ferrari (C).