Rowntree welcomes ‘paranoia’
GRAHAM ROWNTREE hopes Munster’s paranoia will prevent a repeat of last year’s post-six Nations downturn.
The Reds pulled themselves together after losing at home to Glasgow in the URC and to the
Sharks in the last 16 of the Champions Cup to go unbeaten through the URC play-offs and lift the trophy.
They travel to Swansea tonight to face the Ospreys and Rowntree believes that, after taking such a difficult road to glory 12 months ago, they are better equipped this time.
“We’ve been paranoid about it,” said the head coach.
“It was this week last year we lost against Glasgow.
“We’ve said it’s not going to happen again.
“We’ve had a lot more momentum, a lot more training footage, game footage to look at than we did this time last year.
“We’ve been paranoid, that’s the right word, about that happening again.”
Rowntree has made three changes to the team that beat Zebre at the start of the month, a victory that leaves the Reds in sixth place on 34 points.
The Lions, in 11th, are five points off that so it is tightly packed in the race to finish in the top eight.
Tonight’s opponents are in 10th, four off the Reds.
Joey Carbery and Rory Scannell return, along with John Hodnett (inset).
“John’s been class for us this season,” said Rowntree. “I think it was eight weeks ago when he played the whole game with quite a nasty injury in that Saints European game.
“We got him back a bit sooner than expected – it’s just to have his class in the team, it’s a real comfort because he’s been that good for us this season.”