Graham Rowntree: 'Gloucester loss could be kick up backside we need'

The Munster management will not fall into panic mode with the boss insisting the below-par performance will not alter the pre-planned shape of the next two weeks on the training ground

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree during the game against Gloucester

Graham Rowntree stabbed his finger into the Munster badge on his chest.

He was reacting to the suggestion that losing 33-19 at home to Gloucester, as his team did in Cork last Friday night, was just part of the pre-season process, another step along the road to a new campaign, two weeks further down the road.

“That's not what that's about,” Rowntree said as he pointed to the crest.

One can imagine there will be a similar display of the head coach’s feelings when the Munster squad reconvene at their High Performance Centre on the University of Limerick campus on Monday morning as the countdown to the United Rugby Championship Round One home clash with Connacht reaches 13 days and counting.

Shipping 33 points at home, all of them the first half at Virgin Media Park, was not what the Munster boss envisioned for the final public outing of pre-season preparations as last June’s play-off semi-finalists, minus their Ireland tourists and several other senior players besides, were repeatedly carved open by a slick Gloucester backline. Five tries conceded in the first 40 minutes, Munster registered the only score of the second half through academy scrum-half Jack Oliver on his first senior start to add to early tries from Liam Coombes on four minutes and another academy player, flanker Ruadhan Quinn.

Yet to emphasise the work required over the next 12 days before Connacht arrive at Thomond Park a week on Saturday, Munster’s defensive frailties on Friday night were matched by an inability to breach the visitors’ rearguard. The Munster management will not fall into panic mode, though, with the boss insisting the below-par performance will not alter the pre-planned shape of the next two weeks on the training ground.

“Certainly changes what Monday morning looks like for the lads,” Ronwtree conceded. “No, our training has been accurate and been sharp. But we have to stick to the plan, stick to what we do in training and take opportunities.

“We'll have a good review and we'll move forward. That review will finish mid-morning on Monday morning and we'll move forward.

“It's an honest group. They know that wasn't good enough. That wasn't reflective of this club.” 

Jeremy Loughman is tackled by Alfie Petch and Freddie Thomas of GLoucester

The previous Saturday’s 24-21 loss at Bath, led by Rowntree’s predecessor Johann van Graan was more reflective, and the head coach accepted that the performance at home against English Premiership opposition represented a step backwards by comparison.

“Yeah. I thought last week, we could have won that game. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Jack O'Donoghue held up over the line, TMO could potentially give that try. We got our game going last week more than we did (against Gloucester).

“Big opportunities in their score-zone, near their try-line, in the second half there; forcing things, knock-ons... We were taking quick throw-ins to the front of the lineout which I haven't seen all week. We started doing things like that. Some young men were learning lessons tactically.

“No, a step back but I'm confident in the honesty of the group. We'll sit down, review it. I've been in bigger holes -- but we need to nip in the bud now. I'm sure in 15 days' time we'll look back and think, 'That was the kick up the backside we needed.'

“Because we've had a good summer. We've trained well. New guys have come in. But we were punched in the face tonight. Crikey.” It was personally an equally bad night for two of Munster’s unluckiest and most frequently injured squad members, with try scorer Liam Coombes injured in the act of scoring, while replacement back rower Jack Daly was another casualty with a head knock.

“He's not going to win the lottery, Liam. He needs to change his lottery numbers, that lad. We'll have a look at that and assess it on Monday morning.

“Same (with Daly). We'll assess that tomorrow and Monday morning, follow the protocols.” There could be reinforcements ahead of the season opener, though the returning Ireland internationals will not be available until early October. Centre Alex Nankivell has completed his two-match suspension following a red card in the semi-final loss to Glasgow Warriors on June 15 while loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne, second rows Jean Kleyn and Tom Ahern, and Munster’s Ireland Under-20 World Championship contingent led by captain Evan O’Connell could all be in the mix to face Connacht.

“Potentially, potentially,” Rowntree said. “Look, Kleyn, Tom Ahern, Evan O'Connell if I'm thinking of just second rows, will be back around about that time.

“Nanks, he's banned for these two (pre-season) games and he'll be back on deck. Dave Kilcoyne is in the mix imminently as well. And we can't have the rest of the guys until Round 3, the tourists.

“There'll be a few exceptions for players who had less game-time. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I've just got to make sure we have a good review, which will be a hard review. Take the positives, take the learnings and drive on. I'm not going to sugarcoat anything.”