Sales of Barry Coughlan’s book charting the Munster rugby story, Rags to Riches, have been strong since the publication and twin launch in Cork and Limerick by Stuart Barnes and Anthony Foley.

The book is available in all good bookshops and also in the Munster Rugby stores in Cork, Limerick and online, more details here.

It charts the fascinating history of Munster’s big games against major touring teams since 1905 and features equally revealing stories from the likes of stars of the past like Jim McCarthy, Paddy Reid, Tom Kiernan, Noel Murphy, Norman Coleman, Gerald Reidy, Donal Lenihan, Terry Kingston, and many more of a different, amateur, era.

The second half of the book centres on how Munster took baby steps in the new professional environment and had to learn some painful lessons from more organised and better equipped clubs the likes of Harlequins, Cardiff and Toulouse before emerging from the shadows to create an amazing niche for themselves.

Declan Kidney and Niall O’Donovan, Munster’s first captain of the professional era Pat Murray, Mick Galwey, Foley, Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara are amongst those who help trace the amazing journey made by Munster since the opening Heineken Cup season of 1995/1996, a journey that has seen them reach four finals and win the trophy twice.