De Villiers jets in

MUNSTER’S new South African centre Jean de Villiers joins up with his team-mates in Limerick this week fresh from helping the Springboks land the Tri Nations series.
De Villiers lived up to his nickname, the ‘Intercept King’, when picking off Dan Carter’s skip pass on route to scoring a crucial second half try in South Africa’s 32-29 win over the All Blacks in Hamilton on Saturday.
De Villiers, who is due to be based in Limerick during his time with Munster, is set to meet up with Tony McGahan’s squad for the first time this week.
The 28-year-old former South African Player of the Year is likely to make his Munster debut in the province’s round four Magners League tie against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park on Sunday week, September 27 (5.05pm). Munster Rugby announced in July that the province had signed the 54-time capped Springbok for the coming season with terms for an option to extend for a further two seasons.
Speaking of his decision to join Munster, De Villiers said: “Munster are one of the foremost teams in Europe and enjoy a massive supporter base.
“I look forward to experiencing the tradition, passion and ambition associated with Munster and to helping them achieve further success.
“It has been a difficult decision for me to leave South African rugby after so many enjoyable seasons with Western Province, Stormers and the Springboks. I am particularly grateful to all of those involved who have supported me and helped further my rugby career.
“I certainly wouldn’t rule out a return to SA rugby sometime in the future. I feel however, it would be good to experience a new challenge and I believe the time is right to do that now while I am at the top of my game.”
Munster registered their first win of the Magners League campaign at Thomond Park on Friday night when securing a 24-13 win over a plucky Cardiff Blues side.
Tony McGahan’s men are in Wales this Saturday to face the Llanelli Scarlets in round three of the competition - kick-off at Parc y Scarlets is at 6.30pm.
Coach McGahan was encouraged by his side’s improved showing against the Blues on Friday night. However, he warned that his charges would need to step up their performance further against the Scarlets in Wales.
“The difference between the performance against the Blues and the previous one against Glasgow was attitude, really,” Tony McGahan said.
“We did not turn up to play and we were beaten physically around the park. The set-piece was obviously a problem. Against Cardiff, we rectified that to a degree.
“We really have to be on our game next week. Scarlets have started well.”
Friday night’s game marked the return to competitive action of Alan Quinlan who had served a 12-week suspension. Quinlan’s back-row colleague Niall Ronan was the deserving recipient of the Man of the Match accolade.
McGahan said: “Niall (Ronan) was tremendous. The new laws really suit him to a T.
“His work rate and his ability to work close to the ground is testament to himself.”

COLM KINSELLA