Van Graan believes that Cronin could pave the way

Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan had special praise for scrum half Neil Cronin ahead of their second Guinness PRO14 game of the season against Glasgow Warriors this Friday.

The former Garryowen captain impressed during his first PRO14 start in Munster’s win over the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday and his performance has left van Graan with a selection headache in the position.

With Conor Murray ruled out for an indefinite period, van Graan has Cronin, Duncan Williams, James Hart and the newly signed Alby Mathewson vying for the scrum half starting spot.

“To make your first start in such a big game and come through, I thought he did really well,” said the Munster Head Coach of Cronin’s display.

“He has done really well. He will be the first to say that the tempo was pretty high. It’s the next step for him and he has come in with a very open mind and positive attitude. It’s his second chance but I thought he took it over the weekend.

“I haven’t been long enough in Ireland to give an accurate view of how good club rugby. All I can say is what I have seen with hard work, a lot of belief and a bit of luck, the door is never closed.

“I took a chance on him in the first game and it paid off. For amateur players it’s never over. You have just got to keep working and keep going.

“I think it’s a classic example of somebody who got an opportunity and worked pretty hard over the last 10 weeks. He trained himself into the team. Now it’s pretty difficult to leave him out of the team.”

Munster saw off the Cheetahs with consummate ease on Saturday and Cronin wasn’t the only starter on show that impressed.

Arno Botha made a few barnstorming runs on his debut, while Mike Haley showed glimpses of what he can do at full back and on the wing late in the game.

Botha is one player that could see a lot of action during the campaign with the likelihood of Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander and possibly Tommy O’Donnell absent due to international commitments.

“That’s one of the reasons we signed a quality loose forward. Your success sometimes in one position can make you quite thin.

“If you pick up injuries, just that experience in the position at eight showed and he brings certain traits that gives a lot of balance.”

Van Graan was happy with a lot of what Munster did in that victorious performance but also stressed that improvements must be made ahead of this weekend’s visit to Scotland. The game on Friday has a 7:35 kick off and is live on eirSport1.