FORWARDS COACH GRAHAM Rowntree reckons the Munster squad depth is the best he has seen since he moved to Limerick two years ago and he’s hopeful that the battle for places in the side will push standards higher.
The former England prop believes that the level of stock they have for each position is good and after two opening round wins they can now build on their impressive start to the United Rugby Championship when they head to Wales to take on Scarlets on Sunday.
Their latest signing from South Africa, versatile back Jason Jenkins, is in line for his debut but the one-time capped Springbok is guaranteed nothing and will have to force his way into the side.
Rowntree said it will be the same for Irish-qualified hooker Declan Moore who was last month signed from the Melbourne Rebels, with the 24-year old currently getting used to his new surroundings and training to get his way into the matchday squad.
“He’s had a baptism of fire, he has been thrown into our live sessions and he’s learning and he’s coped,” said Rowntree. “He’s a very physical player, very athletic but he’s just being getting used to how we do things here around set-piece and our lineout calling structure and he’s come through well.
When we use him we will wait and see. Again, he’s in a position there where the stocks are high, we have some good guys there who have been patiently waiting their turn. He’ll join that queue but from what I’ve seen of him, good guy, good to coach, athletic and wants to get better.”
Rowntree said that Jenkins, a versatile 6’7”, who was unavailable for the opening two games against the Sharks and the Stormers due to a shoulder injury, could be in line for his debut in Llanelli but he had a battle on his hands to get into the side in a very competitive squad.
“I’d say since I’ve been here it’s the strongest we’ve had and the longest selection meetings, put it that way. That’s all I can speak for since I’ve been here, the depth is as much as it’s been,” added Rowntree.
He said that World Cup winner RG Snyman, who scored his first Munster try last weekend when he came off the bench for the second week running, would continue to build up his game-time, and added that Joey Carbery was making progress but also needed more time on the pitch for maximum impact.
“Judge him when he’s had that consistency of game time, when he’s had those minutes under his belt. He’s been great for the group, leads the group well, trains well, good to see him back. It’s just good to see him back out on the training field and getting game time. He’s currently very good for the group.”
Munster’s style of player has varied in the opening round wins over the Sharks and Stormers and Rowntree admitted that the old-style up front power of going through teams is never far from what they do.
“That’s our DNA isn’t it? That’s the bedrock of our game but you need every tool available. We talk about an all-round game, playing the conditions, playing the opposition. You kind of feel a team out and find out where you can punish them, then you go through that point.
“Every team in the world does that and you’d be a fool if you didn’t play to your strengths, but I think the development of our attacking game under Steve (Larkham) has been incredible.
“I take it back to the last try we scored against the Sharks for example and the amount of offloads in that game. I see the structure and the detail that he’s bringing to our attack. It’s impressive, more than anything I’ve seen before but you need to get back to what’s working for you, but you want every tool available in your armoury.”
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What a waste of time. But im sure louth will have enjoyed the big day out in croke park eh
@Brian Dunne: The three provincial finals so far have been awful, hopefully Ulster is a bit better.
@Bert Carolan: Time to scrap them and run all-Ireland competitions a few weeks after the league end.
@Brian Dunne: ah now Brain nod say there’s a few of your i20’s lads would love a crack at Dublin for a Leinster title
@mainmsam: *id say
Gaelic football is a game that’s gone down the drain,between calling for a ‘mark’,handpassing,scoring by hand it’s just terrible to watch.not to take anything away from Dublin winning today,best of luck to them. I seen a few minutes of the game today and switched it off,I haven’t watched a game of Gaelic in years and won’t be watching anytime soon either.as a youngster watching on in the 80’s and 90’s it was a completely different game.can anything be done to save the game ?
@Jb Walshe: Yawn. Already been some brilliant games this year. That game was very 80s/90s esque as well. Stick to the hurling good man
@Jb Walshe: As you don’t watch gaelic football you probably didn’t watch the Ulster final today
Could have put those games on gaa go. See if anyone would watch them outside the 6 counties that played in those finals
What a competition
Utterly pointless game
Bit of silverware is a bit of silverware love to see it
Do people actually watch this?
@Donie Nagle: yes, probably a dub thing
@Donie Nagle: Yes
Them bloody Dubs are at it again…
Sam is homesick
Split Dublin in two
@KY22: and have an all Dublin Leinster final??
Louth goalkeeper was quoted by RTE commentator that he sees himself as outfield player first and a goalkeeper second well by golly that showed today. If your tge actual goalkeeper and perform like that you deserve everything you get. Maybe stick to been a keeper and you might actually be able to save something.
Levels.
Dublin will most likely reach an All Ireland quarter final and only have played one ( Roscommon) Division One team. I can see Dessie Farrell’s point, especially if Dublin come up against a more hardened team who have played competitive games.
I believe in a few years we will have the Provincial Championships in February before the League starts. They will become what the O’Byrne and McKenna Cups are now.
Also, the lopsided nature of Provincial Championships doesn’t allow the new format for the All Ireland series to be a true reflection of the top sixteen teams in the country.
@Gerry Thompson: no, they are too important to too many counties. Try telling Sligo, Clare, Louth or Armagh that they should be downgraded. Try telling Limerick from last year, tipp from a couple of years ago, Cavan etc. Even Roscommon, Meath, Derry, Monaghan, it’s their All Ireland ATM. It’s worth winning and more important than league or Tailteann Cup. Dublin and Kerry dominating their province is a necessary evil unfortunately but when someone does beat them in the Leinster final it will be huge for that county.
Time to put the Leinster and Munster football championships out to pasture. There hasn’t been a Connacht Hurling Championship since the mid 90s for the same reason. Dublin & Kerry pummelling all round them is a futile exercise.
@Colm: Tipp won Munster in 2020…..