Munster boss Graham Rowntree believes his side can beat Leinster despite losing to Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup last time out.
It is the second time the sides have met in the past five weeks, with Leinster beating Munster 21-16 in a dramatic clash in Dublin. This time the team will lock horns at Thomond Park and begin an exciting battle. Trust him Rowntree insists there were many positives in Exeter’s defeat and stressed his faith in the team.
“I’m confident, you know why? I’m confident in the group,” Rowntree said. “We did some really good things at Exeter. 63 minutes we were still ahead, ah”I’m sure, you know why? I trust the group,” Rowntree said. “We did some really good things at Exeter.
Sixty-three minutes in we were still ahead after scoring four tries and then what happened happened. We looked at it and looked at the composure but we still got four tries, still 12 tries in the last three games We are doing a lot of good things and we need them in the next game.
Munster underwent a thorough overhaul after the Exeter clash and Rowntree believes a number of issues have been ironed out in training. “It’s learning. We must learn from this.
You look at our composure in the last quarter of the game… those pieces, it’s composure because in the 63rd minute we were on our game, but we just have to improve in those moments, especially in a game where in the second half . .
we didn’t have much control. In the second half, we didn’t see the ball much and we were also in a whirlwind.
“Of course we checked it. We got a pretty strong rating, the guys are pretty honest and put their hands on it and then we have to practice it and we certainly did that.
Dangers everywhere Leinster could be without a number of players due to Irish Rugby Football Union playing time restrictions, but the Munster boss still believes there are threats everywhere.
Rowntree also noted his rival’s increased line speed, typical of Jacques Nienaber’s defensive system. “Threats? They’re threats everywhere.
They’re a powerful threat, so giving our three lanes access is a challenge not because they have a good Maul and bitches who like to break. Hit a little more than they were. They have increased their line speed, but they have incredible balls across the team and will challenge us in most areas.
“They have threats everywhere; power play, attacks the seams, their phase attack is nice shapes inside and outside the 10. They also play fast. That’s almost. Other than that, they’re a pretty boring team.
You’re always looking to win the next game in every competition and against an Irish national team – because it turns out they can kick out whenever they want – but that would be massive for us.”
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