Rowntree: Returning Conway 'like a new signing' 

KEY FIGURE: Munster’s Andrew Conway scores a try. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Munster 34 Sharks 21 

Graham Rowntree said that having Irish winger Andrew Conway back from injury was like having another coach on the training paddock and a new signing on the field.

Conway marked his first game in 16 months by scoring his 50th try on his 150th appearance for Munster as the URC champions kicked off their campaign in style with a side that had a big mix of experienced and young players.

Conway was back to his best, notching the bonus point try and involved in many other good moments after recovering from the knee injury which sidelined him for so long.

“I’m delighted he did 80 minutes as well. He was blowing in the first 20 minutes but he had big game involvement. I’m really pleased for him, that was important for him to get 80 minutes against a team like that to play the way he did. It gives him a lot of confidence, it has not been easy for him. He has been like a new signing for us this summer.

“He’s incredible like that. You don’t understand that unless you work with him, unless you see him on the training field, unless you work with him on the field here in the game. His communication with the other lads and the way he speaks in meetings and his understanding of the young men, he is really good for the group. He’s like having another coach in the set-up. Andrew, in the absence of our senior players, Andrew has been very good in that regard,” said Rowntree.

Rowntree was pleased with the way his charges started their campaign on Saturday as the URC champions saw off the Sharks to claim a bonus point win at Thomond Park.

“It was a good performance by us without being perfect. A good start, it gives us momentum going forward. It is good to win,” he said.

Joey Carbery, who lost both his Munster and Ireland places last season, led from the front as they ran in five tries. It took them time to get on top but Carbery pointed the way for the holders with a welcome return to form in a tough encounter.

Munster led 21-7 at the break with promising lock Edwin Edogbo getting his first try, while Carbery did the groundwork for hooker Diarmuid Barron to score.

Out-half Curwin Bosch set up Werner Kok for a Sharks try but Antoine Frisch was rewarded for chasing his own chip for Munster to lead by 14 at the break.

Carbery pushed the lead out with a penalty four minutes after the restart before Rohan Janse van Rensburg got over after Cameron Wright executed a 50:22 after blocking Carbery’s kick and then raced forward to take a quick throw and while Potgieter was initially stopped, the replacement centre was on hand to score before Munster hit back and Conway secured the bonus point.

Ethan Coughlan, making his first start, had to come back on when debutant Shay McCarthy was injured and he made it count when he scored Munster’s fifth try after being set up by Frisch.

Sharks had the final say when Aphelele Fassi got in under the posts but the Durban side left Limerick empty-handed as the champions started in style with five points in the bag.

Meanwhile, Rowntree hopes that Keith Earls considers becoming a coach after bringing the curtain down on a playing career that spanned 101 Irish caps and 202 appearances for his native Munster.

The Munster head coach said that the 33-year old has a lot to offer and has been a great example to young players coming through.

“He could coach, whether that is here or elsewhere remains to be seen but I’d like him to be involved and float around the group as much as possible even if that’s in an unofficial capacity,” said Rowntree.

“I knew he was considering his future. But he has stood down on his terms, hasn’t he? The last game he has for Munster was a pretty special one, let’s agree that. I’m impressed by his decision, I understand it. I had a good chat with him last Monday and I’m looking forward to him coming in and seeing the lads.” 

Scorers: 

Munster: Tries: E Edogbo, D Barron, A Frisch, A Conway, E Coughlan. Cons: J Carbery (3). Pen: Carbery.

Sharks: Tries: W Kok, R Janse van Rensburg, A Fassi. Cons: C Bosch (3).

Munster: S Daly; A Conway, A Frisch, R Scannell (A Nankivell 62), S McCarthy (F Gibbons 68, Coughlan 77); J Carbery, E Coughlan (N Cronin 70); J Wycherley (K Ryan 71), D Barron (S Buckley 68), S Archer (J Ryan 62); E Edogbo (T Ahern 55), F Wycherley; J O’Donoghue (c), A Kendellen, G Coombes (B Gleeson 70).

Sharks: B Chamberlain (A Fassi 62); W Kok, M Koster (R Janse van Rensburg 40), F Venter (c), M Potgieter; C Bosch, C Wright (Z Mkhabela 74); N Mchunu (D Bleuler 70), K van Vuuren (D Jooste 70), C Oosthuizen (H Jacobs 55); E van Heerden, R Hugo; J Venter, P Buthelezi, G Cronje (S Notshe 62).

Replacement not used: Tshituka.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy).