Leamy looking to tap into 'unique DNA' of Munster

Sometimes it's hard to know whether Munster should hold on to the past or try to break free from it.

It's 11 years since their golden period came to an end, that 2010/11 success in what is now the BTK United Rugby Championship capping off a decade in which they won three domestic titles and a couple of Heineken Champions Cups.

Denis Leamy was involved in all of those successes, coming on to the scene in 2001 in between the province's first and second European final defeats at the start of that great journey.

And one of the province's great back rows has now returned to Thomond Park to help bring silverware back to his home side.

Leamy's playing days were cut short by a hip injury in 2012, and when New Zealander Rob Penney arrived as head coach later that year, his attempts to change the face of what Munster rugby looked like came to a fruitless end after just two years.

At the time, Penney's open style was a world apart from the traditions of old school Munster ball. In the 10 years that have passed since his arrival the game has changed enough for the idea of what constitutes 'attacking' rugby to be a fluid enough concept.

When Graham Rowntree's new backroom team was assembled, it was notable that it contained three former Munster players. While Kyriacou only spent a short time on loan at Munster, both Leamy and Mike Prendergast know what it's like to win silverware with the province. Likewise, they can remember when Munster played with a chip on their shoulder.

"There's no doubt about it, we have a unique DNA and unique mindset and that comes out in Munster people all the time," Leamy said yesterday, as they prepare for their opening match of the season against Cardiff on Saturday.

In recent seasons Leamy has been involved