MUNSTER’S PREPARATIONS FOR the new season will move up a gear following the arrival of senior coach Stephen Larkham at the province’s University of Limerick base.

The former Wallaby arrived in Ireland yesterday and was straight on the training paddock with the Munster squad this afternoon.

Larkham, the ex-Australia attack coach, has signed with the province until June 2022 and joins Johann van Graan’s coaching staff following the departure of Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones at the end of last season.

The 45-year-old joins van Graan, defence coach JP Ferreria and interim forwards coach Colm McMahon in managing Munster’s pre-season ahead of their Pro14 opener against Dragons on 28 September.

With new forwards coach Graham Rowntree preparing for the World Cup with Georgia, academy player development officer McMahon has been working with the senior squad during the summer.

Van Graan has bolstered his training squad with the addition of Cork Con prop Dylan Murphy, who has represented Ireland at underage level and impressed during his side’s run to AIL glory last season.