Clayton McMillan encouraged despite Munster defeat

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan took encouragement from his side’s first pre-season outing despite a 47-26 defeat to La Rochelle at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, highlighting signs of progress under the province’s new coaching structure.

Clayton McMillan encouraged by Munster display

Munster endured a difficult opening half against Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle, conceding six tries and trailing 40-12 at the interval.

McMillan acknowledged that his side were slow to react during turnover situations, allowing the French club to build momentum through their offloading game. However, he was encouraged by elements of Munster’s attack, including their phase play, kicking and attacking structures.

“Mostly encouraging, I think,” McMillan said.

“Obviously, the first half, our first-up game, a little bit slow particularly on turnover transition, where they were a lot quicker to react than us, and they got on the front foot, got their offloading game going, and we looked like we were at sixes and sevens a little bit, so that was disappointing".

The match represented Munster’s first competitive run-out of pre-season, while La Rochelle are significantly further into their preparations ahead of the new Top 14 campaign.

Munster improve after difficult first half

Munster produced a stronger second-half performance, conceding only seven further points and scoring two tries themselves as both teams made extensive changes.

McMillan was particularly pleased with the increased defensive resilience shown after the interval, including a period when Munster were reduced to 13 players.

“Second half, we didn't get as many opportunities attack-wise, probably unlucky on a couple. We busted through and maybe could have scored but got pulled back, but such is life.

"But defensively, a lot more steel about the defensive effort, so I think to keep them to seven in the second half, and 13 men at one stage, I thought they showed a bit of gut."