Tearful Van Graan shows his Munster heart in agonising loss: 'Like the Boks' 2015 RWC semi'

If any Irish rugby observers or supporters were still sceptical over Johann van Graan's commitment to the Munster cause, they would've gotten an emphatic answer at the weekend.

The 42-year-old former Springbok assistant coach was at the heart of one of the most poignant scenes of the season in struggling to hold back tears after his club's gut-wrenching elimination from the European Champions Cup.

Munster were spirited and determined - though they did let slip a useful lead - in lasting no less than 100 minutes against French giants Toulouse in this past weekend's quarter-final stalemate that first went into extra time and then a penalty shoot-out.

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With the match having finished 24-all, Toulouse eventually won the sudden death lottery 4-2 as Munster's designated kickers' radar went awry.

Van Graan, who'd been hammered by pundits in the Irish media a few months ago when he was confirmed as Bath's new head coach from next season, showed with his emotional response that he very much loves the club.

"Firstly, I’m incredibly proud. Today was what Munster rugby is about. To lose it like that, that’s unfortunately sport, that is the way the rules are. Somebody has got to kick it over and somebody’s got to miss," he said afterwards.

"If ever there's a day to sum up Munster rugby, it's today. A community of 40 000 people travelling. It was certainly one of the best rugby games I’ve been involved with."

Munster had to switch their match to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin because Thomond Park was out of commission due to a recent concert taking place there.

Interestingly, Van Graan compared his raw feelings to the Boks' 18-20 loss to the All Blacks