Downbeat Rowntree rues soft tries, Ringrose hails Leinster resolve

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree struggled to find positives despite running arch-rivals to a point

26 December 2022; Kerry gaelic footballer David Clifford watches the build-up to Munster’s first try, scored by Gavin Coombes, during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree admitted he was struggling to find positives, despite only losing to arch rivals Leinster by the slenderest of margins in a tense United Rugby Championship clash at Thomond Park last night.

7-6 in front at the break thanks to a converted finish from Gavin Coombes, the southern province were in a strong position to secure their first home win at the expense of Leo Cullen’s men in just under four years. The simultaneous sin-binning of Max Deegan provided them with extra incentive, but Leinster instead turned the screw courtesy of tries from Scott Penny and Dan Sheehan.