Rowntree urges troops not to get overawed by ‘huge’ Croker occasion

The Munster head coach said Denis Leamy "spoke well" about his Croke Park experience.

Munster head Coach Graham Rowntree during squad training on Tuesday. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Graham Rowntree took a back seat when the Munster squad gathered to discuss what Croke Park meant to them ahead of Saturday’s URC derby clash with Leinster but the head coach urged his players not to get overawed by the occasion.

The former England and Lions prop knows enough about the history of GAA headquarters to understand the place it holds in the minds of his coaching and playing staff, most of whom grew up playing football or hurling before the oval ball took a hold on them.