Foley: Extra preparation paying off for Hanrahan at Munster

The 22-year-old has featured in seven of Munster's nine GUINNESS PRO12 fixtures so far this season, but has only been named in the starting XV on four occasions and completed 80 minutes just once - in the 38-12 victory at Newport Gwent Dragons.

But with Ian Keatley preferred at fly-half so far this campaign, Foley was quick to sing Hanrahan's praises, admitting his lack of league starts is due to beginning his pre-season preparation late.

"It's important for Munster to keep our own players coming through," he said. "JJ is a quality young player that we have a lot of time for. We've looked after him very well in his preparation this season.

"We have made sure we got rid of an injury he has been carrying for a couple of seasons, so he can become a better player in terms of the load he can take during the week.

"The consequence of doing that meant he started the season a month behind everyone else and he is playing catch-up now.

"He's not a million miles away and when he has come on in big games he has done a very good job for us.

"When we played him at full-back against Dragons and Ulster he looked very dangerous.

"You have got to think the long term with him in terms of making sure he is physically properly prepared for it.

"Not in one week and out the next because of injury or physical preparation. It's about the whole picture."

Meanwhile Foley also admitted his side will be on a revenge mission at Clermont this weekend after a 16-9 home defeat to the French side on Saturday.

He said: "We were well beaten by Clermont. They came over and did a big number on us.

"You saw with their celebrations at the end of the game what it meant to them. You can't take that away from them.

"I've gone back on the video and it's hard to see it on the cameras. We want to put things right this week."

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