Shane Horgan believes the Munster players in Ireland’s squad for the tour of South Africa will be keen to put their indifferent season behind them.

Speaking as he prepared for his duties as a Sky Sports analyst for the tour, he acknowledged that provincial seasons had a bearing on players’ confidence – a positive one in Connacht’s case.

“There are Connacht guys who have come in that have experienced a super season,” Horgan said. “They are very confident and are doing all the right things.”

However he thinks a poor season could also have a positive effect on international squads, with under-performing players keen to change the tone of their season and finish on a high.

“If it’s true about how confident the Connacht lads will feel then the opposite can be the case as well,” he agreed, when asked about low morale among the Munster players.

“But, and I know this from my experience playing for Leinster, going in after Christmas and after a season that was unsuccessful you were crazy to get into Irish camp.

“You have an opportunity to change the narrative of your season,” he explained.

“Nobody likes not being successful and not making the knock-out stages of competitions or feeling you didn’t perform as well as you could have.”

But however desperate players are to perform better, there would be worry in the minds of the five Munsters players in the squad. A positive start would give them a boost, but a tough one could add to their stress.

“There’s no doubt it’ll be nagging in the back of their minds. And if things don’t start off in a positive manner they’ll be doubting themselves.

“It’ll take a quite a bit of mental resolve to push that negative energy out and get on with trying to perform for Ireland.”

One Munster player he sees playing a key role is Conor Murray. In the absence of Jonathan Sexton, the Munster scrum-half’s experience becomes even more crucial to Joe Schmidt’s men. Horgan said it would be a lot of pressure, but if anyone can handle it, Murray can.

“It’s tough for him because there is so much pressure on him now,” Horgan said.

“But of all people, I think he can handle it. He speaks so well, he can carry the role.”

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