Rowntree pleased with Munster character in Cork storm as focus turns to Croker

The southern province held Ospreys scoreless in 'shocking' conditions.

EYE OF THE STORM: Munster’s Jack O'Donoghue in the lineout during the win over Ospreys INPHO/James Crombie

Graham Rowntree said he got the reaction he had expected from his Munster players in Cork on Saturday night as they shook off an embarrassing defeat at Zebre Parma to land a 23-0 bonus-point victory over Ospreys at Virgin Media Park.

Munster had lost in Italy conceding six tries seven days earlier, adding to the five they had shipped in beating Connacht in URC round one on September 21 but this was a much-improved performance on both sides of the ball.

A try after 11 seconds from academy wing Shay McCarthy had set the tone for Munster, with further scores from centre Tom Farrell and wing Calvin Nash in addition to a Jack Crowley penalty sending the home side into half-time with an 18-0 lead.

The second half was a much tighter affair as the Welsh side finally began to ask questions of the much maligned Munster defence, only to be frustrated and then concede from the only opportunity the Reds created after the interval, Jack O’Donoghue collecting the try bonus point on 64 minutes.

The head coach agreed it had been hugely satisfying to see on a night of terrible weather conditions.

"It was. To nil them as well at the end there, they bombarded our try-line, I was pleased,” Rowntree said.

"We were hoping for a reaction, in fact I was looking forward to a reaction and I thought our physicality and our accuracy in those conditions... they were shocking conditions. You don't appreciate it unless you're pitch-side.

"Trying to fathom a way of getting into their half in the second half of the game, we had one chance and we took it.

"Accuracy, physicality. Some guys had big moments; Shay right at the start; he had a good game actually, a big moment in the build-up to our fourth try.

"Bryan Fitzgerald holding them up over the line there, we picked up a few knocks but we'll see what Monday presents in terms of scans.” 

First-half injuries to prop Oli Jager and former captain Peter O’Mahony were concerns as were the second-half withdrawals of full-back Mike Haley and Nash a week out from a trip to Croke Park to face Leinster, but Munster finished with a strong defensive set to gather momentum for the Dublin challenge.

"I'll wait until Monday; it's another week, another couple of injuries in the first half.

"We're struck at the moment, it happens, there's an ebb and a flow to every season in terms of injuries and we're a bit skinny at the moment, but we'll get through it."

Rowntree praised his team’s management of the rainy and windy conditions, which had been a failing at times last season, particularly in defeats at home to Leinster, away to Connacht and a European pool loss to Northampton Saints at Thomond Park in January.

"We've spoke about wet weather a lot, specifically the interpros against Connacht and Leinster, Saints in the European Cup, we learned a lot.

"We had a good idea the weather was going to be like this from the beginning of the week, so we had time to adjust our plans.

"That's what you do, don't you? You evolve, you learn and grow.

"We've got young half-backs on the field, even our starting half-backs are still young, still learning."

Rowntree was also impressed by the contributions of his returning internationals, led by newly-appointed captain Tadhg Beirne.

"Just a settling presence. Class, proven performers on the big stage. Pete (O’Mahony), Tadhg in particular, having them back. We've had Craig (Casey) for a few weeks now, his calming presence, but Tadhg and Pete bring a different aura.

"We'll see how bad Pete's hamstring is, but we're lucky to bring them back in."

As a progression from last week’s performance in Parma, Rowntree added: "Contacts, physicality around our contacts. If you get that wrong last week can happen.

"We were so much better today, our control and physicality around our tackle and ruck area, our urgency around there."

Man of the match Casey acknowledged the dark place from which Munster had picked themselves up following last week’s upset defeat.

"It was a very tough week, we definitely had to look at ourselves and thankfully we proved that tonight, everything we were talking about during the week.

"It kind of suited us tonight, we needed to be physical and I think the weather almost prompted us into that physical battle.

"We put a plan together probably on Thursday when we saw the weather was looking pretty poor and I think we nailed that to a tee, and I think it was a good game."