'I have never seen us as fit. It's down to skills under pressure' - Rowntree sure Munster can turn ship around, and quick

Performances like last Sunday’s error-strewn, ill-disciplined and downright sub-standard effort in Newport are not supposed to happen to incoming coaches but Rowntree is pragmatic and experienced enough to know how to react it behind the scenes

QUICK FIX: Munster Head Coach Graham Rowntree. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

It was in an interview with a Sunday newspaper at the weekend that Graham Rowntree said he would front up to the media during Munster’s “big weeks and drama weeks” and it has not taken long for that opportunity to present itself on both fronts.

In the normal scheme of things, a home fixture against Zebre Parma at Musgrave Park this Saturday evening would not qualify for either of those situations but events over the opening two rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship campaign conspired to bring the head coach front and centre yesterday as Munster staged their weekly online press conference.