Good start required

Following two impressive displays in their pre-season friendlies last month, Munster begin their Magners League campaign with an away trip to Edinburgh on Friday night.

With a new coach at the helm, a renovated Thomond Park nearing completion and a number of the younger players developing quickly, it promises to be an exciting season ahead for the province. Over the last number of years Munster's quest for the Magners League has taken a backseat when compared with their desire to succeed in the European Cup.

However, strength-in-depth now exists within the playing squad and coach Tony McGahan will be hoping to challenge on two fronts over the coming nine months. The defending Heineken Cup Champions now have at least two players vying for every position and this competition for places should enable the team to reach even greater heights.

Last year's Magners campaign was dogged with inconsistency. Disappointing home defeats to Cardiff and Glasgow were further compounded by the two convincing losses at the hands of arch-rivals Leinster.

If McGahan hopes to guide his side to domestic glory during his first season in charge, then many of last season's errors will need to be eradicated. Initial signs are positive as the Australian coach seems to have picked up the reigns in a seamless manner.

Fine style

The pre-season friendlies, against the USA and London Irish respectively, were negotiated in a confident and efficient style. Munster played an exciting brand of free-flowing, quick-phase rugby and in both instances the opposition was unable to cope with the levels of intensity.

One of the undoubted success stories from last year's historic Heineken Cup victory was the development of the centre partnership between Rua Tipoki and Lifeimi Mafi.

The Kiwi duo was in scintillating form all season, both in defence and attack. However, the aforementioned pre-season games have thrown another name in the mix and it's Limerick-born Keith Earls. Son of the former Young Munster stalwart, Ger Earls, this young centre has finally begun to fulfil the expectations which surrounded his early career.

His angle of running and speed off the mark have added another dimension to Munster's back-play. If Earls can continue his steady improvement of form, then the former St. Munchins star may well force his way into the starting fifteen.