Coach Graham Rowntree 'chuffed' as seven-try Munster go third in URC table

MUNSTER Rugby head coach Graham Rowntree said he was 'chuffed' with his side's display as the United Rugby Championship holders thumped Irish rivals Connacht 47-12 at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Home supporters in an attendance of 20,183 lapped it up as Munster racked up seven tries in all, including five in the second half to record their first interprovincial win of the season in emphatic fashion.

URC champions Munster now sit in third place in the table with two rounds of regular season fixtures to come, beginning with Friday night's trip to Edinburgh.

Munster are just two points behind table toppers Glasgow Warriors and one adrift of second-placed Leinster as the battle to secure home advantage in the URC play-offs reaches a critical stage.

Speaking in the wake of Munster's commanding success over Connacht, the last side to beat Munster in the league, Rowntree said: "Delighted with that," the head coach

"We were a bit frustrated after 20 minutes, we weren't getting our own way, weren't taking our chances often enough but we stuck to the plan and we played some scintillating rugby and some big performances.

"I thought Jack (O'Donoghue) was outstanding, just a dominance in all of his actions. I am chuffed with that, yeah.

"Our first Irish interpro win this year.

"These were a sticky crowd, something goes on every time we play them.

"They beat us on New Year's Day. They were tactically better than us that night, a couple of things went against us.

"They are a well-coached team, a sticky team. I'm delighted with the result.

"It gives us continued momentum of what we did in South Africa. We've a six-day turnaround up in Edinburgh, we've got good momentum."

Munster will look on continue on their fine run of form, which has yielded 15 points from a possible 15 in their three most recent URC fixtures, when travelling to Hive Stadium to take on Edinburgh on Friday evening, 7.35pm.

Rowntree indicated that he will not make too many changes in personnel for the trip to the Scottish capital.

"We have a weekend off the weekend after (Champions Cup final weekend)," Rowntree said.

“I don't need to massively rotate the squad.

“We'll make some key changes and we'll have a look at our bench. We put a lot more focus into the activity of our bench in games and selection of our bench. I'll see what Monday presents in terms of injuries, a couple of knocks.

"I don't see us making a load of changes. We need to keep momentum with the guys who are playing well."