THE NAMES, THE faces and even the jersey has changed down the years, but there are some traits which Munster will never shake off.
In eight hard years, James Couglan has never been the face of his province, but that can’t stop him forming the heart and soul.
The CBC number eight was involved in a telling moment this week when, as Andrew Conway was being grilled alongside him, he stepped in to figuratively drape a protective arm around his new team-mate’s shoulder.
Conway, a 21-year-old with a refreshing tendency to speak relatively freely, was plotting a careful path through the specifics of his move from Leinster. The question of which position he believed was vulnerable was the step too far for Coughlan to bear.
His actual words to the press pack were, ”ah, come on.” He may as well have fired out the old, ‘don’t you touch my winger!’
One in, all in
“There isn’t any position vulnerable,” the 32-year-old reasoned. “Any new player coming in is going to have to prove himself. Andrew’s in that position. We’re in here to try and make sure that, come Saturday, we’re going at 100% and that’s our focus.”
It didn’t mater that he was interrupted by another, less leading, question for Conway. Coughlan had carried out his enforcer role. One in, all in.
The departure of Ronan O’Gara and retirement of Doug Howlett have left an undoubted void of experience within the Munster team room, but the number eight is more than capable of ensuring that the ethos laid down is carried forward.
He certainly has the requisite amount of humility.
“I think the ethos has gone well before me,” he says with a shake of the head.
“It’s the like of Gaillimh and Axel and Claw, Paulie, ROG, Doug, Donncha O’Callaghan…“These guys have set the bar for 12 to 15 years each. Unfortunately I am one of the elder elements, but look; it’s about instilling that mentality that we’re never beaten and it’s about instilling the honesty.
“It’s printed on all the jerseys; ‘wear with honesty and pride’. It’s something that’s close to all of us.”
While the apparent novelty of Conway’s inter-provincial switch stole most of the attention. Coughlan had no doubt that the winger understood exactly what he has gotten himself into:
“I think if you asked Andrew before he came down what the two words that would sum us up; it was always “hard”, it was always “tough”.
“It was never an easy game against us. It’s about that honesty and pride. It means a lot to play for Munster and Andrew’s fully aware of that. Everyone in the group is fully aware of what it takes to play for Munster.”
Want to know what Munster have planned for the season ahead? Munster captain Peter O’Mahony is taking over Bank of Ireland’s Twitter , @talktoBOI , from 6pm-7pm tonight, August 23.
Tweet your burning rugby questions to #boirugby.
