- The day Richmond player Murty King played with his overcoat on
- Brave Thomond snatch losing bonus point with late penalty kick
- JJ Hanrahan outstanding as Munster take important pool points
- Richmond march through to the Junior Challenge Cup decider
- Young Munster fail to get AIL points from their visit to Temple Hill today
- Munster will have to be cautious after high penalty rate stats reported
- Garryowen’s late score snatches thrilling victory from jaws of defeat
- Johann van Graan makes two changes for game against Castres
- Richmond seeking cup final place v Newcastle West on Saturday
- Schools derby at Markets Field will remember Dudley and Sean
- Frank Quinn weighs up the prospects of the European hopefuls
- Munster agree contract extensions with 12 of their current squad
- Denis’s new history book highlights the funny side of Limerick rugby
- The Patie O’Connor Cup returns to Newcastle West in thriller
- Bruff show great character to go into challenging place in AIL 2C
- Richmond and Newcastle West victorious in local derby games
- Garryowen move up 1A table, defeat for Shannon in All-Ireland League
- Old Crescent get welcome home victory under Rosbrien light
- Eight-try Munster march on with sparkling victory over Edinburgh
- Two exciting derby games highlight of an exciting week-end of Junior rugby
- Munster’s internationals return for game against Edinburgh
- Greg O’Shea and Jack Daly on Irish 7s international squad in Dubai
- Joe Schmidt’s plan to retire from coaching will be Ireland’s loss
- Exit Joe Schmidt, enter Andy Farrell as IRFU plan for the future
- Newcastle West send out clear message of intent to league leaders
- Munster leave it late to snatch bonus point win over Zebre in Italy
- Defeat for Shannon today at the hands of in-form Dublin University
- Ireland finish autumn international season with blistering victory
- Garryowen win bragging rights and gain welcome league points
- Murray, Ronan O’Mahony, Farrell, Oliver all back for Munster
- Decent representation for Munster as Ireland name side against USA
- ‘Ginger’ McLoughlin inducted to Rugby Writers’ Hall of Fame
- Newcastle West and Richmond determined to improve placings
- Surprise defeat for Richmond: Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West win
- Ireland create history with their first win on Irish soil over All Blacks
- Students’ late rally deprives Shannon of ‘Seconds’ victory
- UL Bohemian well represented as Irish women name team for USA tie
- Val McDermott of Old Crescent is awarded try of the month for October
- Limerick clubs will seek welcome points in Junior League One
- Injured Henshaw and Murray are out of the Guinness Series
- Grassroot clubs will benefit from the recent IRFU land deal announced today
- Thriller in Jim Slattery Park sees Richmond snatch cup victory
- Wins for Old Crescent, UL Bohs and Bruff in AIL today: Thomond beaten
- Off-pace Irish do just enough to see off the fighting Pumas
- Munster A will travel to play the New England Free Jacks in April
- Ireland team named to face Argentina in Guinness Series opener
- Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West and Richmond in Clubs Challenge Cup action
- Failing to close out the game proves costly for Newcastle West
- Richmond Limerick’s only winners in today’s Junior League
- Toyota Cheetahs run Munster close in today’s Guinness PRO thriller
Johann expects a tough encounter as Cheetahs come to town
- Updated: 31/08/2018
(Photo: Key man JJ Hanrahan starts at out-half)
MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan has reason to expect a real hard test from South African side Toyota Cheetahs tomorrow at Thomond Park.
Heading into their second season in the Guinness PRO14, he expressed the view this week that the visitors will have benefited from that experience and they will be out to impress in their opening game of the championship.
Cheetah coach Franco Smith, who put his duties as Springbok Attack Coach aside to focus fully on this side, is confident of a good performance by his charges: “We are excited to be involved in the Guinness PRO14 again. We have a huge task ahead of us with new players who joined the squad and we want to make South Africa and Guinness PRO14 proud.
“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new season. We are realistic. We will have to stick to the process and try to adapt as quick as possible to the required tempo and intensity.”
The two sides have met twice before with Munster winning both encounters and Munster boss van Graan spoke about narrow margins ahead in this competition: “Last season we lost games by one point and we want to keep that in mind. We want to take points from every game this season and we are focusing on that. All the teams are starting this week-end on zero points in this league so it is all to play for.”
Coach Franco Smith has announced his team for the match.
Oupa Mohoje will be leading the side for the season.
A number of players will be making their Guinness PRO14 debuts: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Tian Schoeman, Luan de Bruin, JP du Preez, Walt Steenkamp, Aidon Davis and Ryno Eksteen.
The team will be travelling to Wales on Sunday for the second match where they will be facing Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday, 8 September at 18:30 (SA time) before they return to Bloemfontein.
Toyota Cheetahs: Malcolm Jaer; Rabz Maxwane, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Nico Lee, William Small-Smith; Tian Schoeman, Shaun Venter; Ox Nche, Jacques du Toit, Luan de Bruin; Justin Basson, JP du Preez, Junior Pokomela, Oupa Mohoje, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Ernst Stapelberg, 23 Ryno Eksteen.
The referee for the match is Dan Jones (WRU, 15th competition game). He will be assisted by Craig Evans and Mark Patton. The TMO is Simon McDowell.
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