Munster’s Unwavering Focus Despite URC Table Permutations
Munster boss Graham Rowntree has revealed that the team’s positioning in the United Rugby Championship (URC) standings is not their primary concern at the moment. After securing a bonus-point win over Edinburgh on Friday, Munster has moved to the top of the table, but Rowntree emphasizes that their sole focus is on their upcoming clash against Ulster at Thomond Park on June 1.
Despite the defending champions now being assured of hosting a quarter-final, Rowntree acknowledged that they are not guaranteed a home semi-final, as Glasgow and Leinster could potentially move above them in the standings with victories on Saturday. However, the Munster coach remains unfazed by these permutations.
“Honestly, it is not spoken about,” Rowntree told The42.ie. “The next game is what is spoken about, analysing our next opposition. Competition is high and we’ll look to win that game against Ulster.”
Munster’s recent run of five consecutive away wins and eight victories for the season showcases their ability to succeed in challenging environments. Rowntree praised his team’s resilience, as they had to dig deep to secure the 29-26 victory over Edinburgh, with Jack Crowley slotting a decisive penalty in the closing stages.
“It was one of the toughest games we have had,” Rowntree acknowledged. “But I’m delighted with that. It was far from perfect but we showed some real guts there, because we were dealing with a lot.”
The Munster coach highlighted the team’s ability to manage the challenging circumstances, including a high penalty count and the loss of a back in the first half. Despite these setbacks, Rowntree praised the impact of substitutes like Tom Ahern and RG Snyman, who made a significant difference when they were brought on.
As Munster prepares for their final regular-season encounter against Ulster, their focus remains unwavering, with Rowntree stressing the importance of winning the game at hand rather than dwelling on the permutations of the URC table.
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