“This guy is different.”

Former Ireland international Tony Ward reckons new signing Chris Cloete could be Munster’s Neil Back. The South African has been hugely impressive since making his debut a few weeks back, and Ward believes he’s a special talent.

Cloete made his European debut against the Tigers last weekend and was one of the best players on the parks. He’s the definition of an out and out seven and Ward reckons he could end up being one of Munster’s most important players.

Writing in his regular Irish Independent column, Ward says:

“Chris Cloete looks special already. He could be a Munster Neil Back.”

“Tommy O’Donnell is going to have one hell of a job shifting this brickhouse battleship from the openside position. With respect to David Wallace, Alan Quinlan, Jim Williams and a myriad of great Munster flankers who went before, this guy is different. If he can avoid injury then the newly-installed former Southern King could prove the single biggest key to Munster challenging again for top honours.”

What do you think? Does Cloete have the potential to be one of the very best?