When the chips are down.

Welsh legend Shane Williams has picked Munster as his favourites to lift the first ever PRO14 championship this season. The southern province fell at the final hurdle against Scarlets last time round, but Williams thinks they can go that one step further this season.

Writing in his regular Rugby Paper column, the former Lions wingers says while he sees Scarlets doing well this year, it’s in Munster’s nature to respond when the chips are down and that’s exactly what they will do.

“Munster were blown apart by the Scarlets in last season’s final, but if there’s one thing we know about the men from Thomond Park, it’s that they always, always respond when the chips are down,” Williams wrote.

“This season, I think they’ll be an entirely different proposition. The Scarlets did supremely well last season to secure the title and to do it with the style they did was the cherry on top of the cake.

“I’m not sure, though, that their squad has the depth of others like Munster and Leinster.“

Williams reckons Munster have strengthened well, with the acquisition of JJ Hanrahan from Northampton particularly impressing him. He also reckons the early departure of Rassie Erasmus could work in Munster’s favour, with the players wanting to send him off knowing the team are in a good position.

What do you think? Will Munster go all the way this season?