Van Graan wary of Gloucester and Cipriani threat

Any time Munster and Gloucester’s names are thrown together the memory instantly goes back to the ‘Miracle Match’ at Thomond Park in 2003.

On that day, Munster needed to score four tries and win by 27 points to overcome one of the top sides in England and did so to reach the Heineken Cup quarter final in the most dramatic of circumstances.

The stakes are maybe not as high this Saturday when Gloucester come to town again but Munster Head Coach is aware that his men face a tough task, especially given the recent fine form of the Cherry and White’s out half Danny Cipriani.

“I think he has had a good year,” said van Graan of Cipriani. His goal kicking is very good and with his broken field play he is one of those players that can win a game on his own. He is a very good 10 and they are a very good team.

“His distribution skills are very good. Billy Twelvetrees is a player that I really, really rate. I think their back three are a really big threat on attack.

“Morgan, their number eight, played very well against Castres and we know what GG (Gerbrandt Grobler) can do. Look they got threats all over the park. This will be a huge battle.”

Van Graan is not overly worried about former Munster player, Grobler, potentially having an inside track into the team’s lineout calls.

Grobler spent last season with the province and has been in impressive form for Munster’s opponents in the English Premiership.

“It’s the same as when we came up against Donnacha Ryan last season. You can’t change your whole system because of one player. Luckily, you pre-call most of your calls.

“With one or two you can do something different, you never know. GG was with us and left Munster on good terms. He is with Gloucester now and doing very well there.”

Van Graan is also pitting his wits against fellow South African Johann Ackermann, who holds the head coaching job with Gloucester.

The Munster boss counts his opposing coach as a good friend and says that his counterpart is doing a fine job with the English Premiership outfit.

“Johan is a terrific guy. JP (Ferreira) was also working with him with the Lions and we have known each other for a long time and is a coach that I respect. He has done very well since joining Gloucester.

“They lost narrowly in the Challenge Cup Final last year and are sitting in the top four in the Premiership. They have the second highest possession in the Premiership and back their attack.

“When it came to a set piece battle against Castres, their set piece ability became evident. They are a side that we hugely respect and it will be another Munster v Gloucester special hopefully over the weekend.”