Munster head trainer Graham Rowntree was “gutted” not to have actually defeated Toulouse however is eagerly anticipating seeing his side take on the Sharks when driving in the Heineken Champions Cup last 16.
A slim 20-16 defeat to five-time European champs Toulouse suggests Munster will certainly take a trip to South Africa to deal with the Sharks in the knockout phases complying with the Six Nations.
Rowntree’s guys have actually currently defeated 3 South African sides in your home this period– Bulls and also Lions in the United Rugby Championship and also South Africa A in a pleasant– and also will certainly head to King’s Park in Durban on the weekend break of March 31/April 1-2.
They will certainly likewise go back to South Africa for the last 2 rounds of the URC when they satisfy ruling champs the Stormers on April 15 and after that clash once more with the Sharks 7 days later on.
Rowntree stated: “If you’re going to win this competition, you’ve got to go places and win games like this.
“What we are proving is that we’ve got form on the road, so I’m already looking forward to it. It’s a challenge, but we like a challenge at this club.
“We’re going to be seeing a lot of them (the Sharks). And to me, what makes a class team is what you do on the road.
“We’ve had a couple of good moments there recently, in Edinburgh and Ulster. I’m gutted about today in Toulouse because it would have been a nice feather in the cap.”
Having shed to Toulouse by 5 factors in the very first conferences, Munster got back at more detailed at Stade Ernest Wallon and also can have arised with a draw if Joey Carbery had actually handled to transform shots from John Hodnett and also Tadhg Beirne.
Toulouse just racked up one attempt themselves, Juan Cruz Mallia touching down at an early stage, however 15 factors from the boot of full-back Melvyn Jaminet saw them to success and also a house suit with the Bulls in the last 16.
“Not many teams come here and do what we did, recover from an early setback and find a way to stay in the game. We’ll have a look at some things we can do better,” included Rowntree.
“We’re tough to beat – that’s the bedrock of what I want us to be in terms of our DNA. I’m really pleased with how we’re going.”
Jerome Kaino, the Toulouse abilities trainer, was as much happy as happy to have actually seen his side win the video game, however he constantly recognized it was mosting likely to be a close-run event.
“The history of the games between these two teams shows there have never been any blow-outs. So, to get the win against a very good Munster side was pretty pleasing, said Kaino.
“We started well but weren’t able to capitalise on our momentum. We’re just happy to have secured a home tie against the Bulls and it will be a different brand of rugby to adapt to against them.”
