Graeme: Previous form means little

BULLISH Graeme Rowntree is adamant Munster can smash their PRO14 semi-final curse against Leinster on Friday.

The Reds lost by only a point at the last four stage two years ago, a week after Leinster lifted the Champions Cup.

Last season, however, it was a more comprehensive 24-9 win in for the Blues (right).

And this time Munster will enter the fray with just a five-day turnaround from their last regular game of the campaign.

But Rowntree, former England and assistant coach and currently the Munster forwards guru, had a clear message yesterday for his players – that the past is “irrelevant”. He said: “We’ve got so much to go for. Th a t ’s o u r energy and belief going into this game. Why not us? There’s no reason why we can’t win Friday night.

“We’re in great condition, we put in a bank of training this summer mindful of the programme that we’re coming back into. We’ve not spoke about the turnaround. We’re ready for another game. “Having Ha such a long time away, su suddenly we’re back into it and w we’ve got another big game on Friday – and our performances in certain areas of the game are j just getting better and better. “We’re peaking at the right tim time, ready for knockout rugby.” Ro Rowntree added: “Leinster had the luxury of resting guys at the weekend and they would have had a good hit-out on Monday, which we weren’t able to do, but we crack on with it.

“I’m happy with where we are mentally and physically. We’ve played against them and previous form means nothing.

“All I’m really stressing to the guys is how hardened we are going into this game given we’ve not played rugby for a long time.

“Very quickly we’re battle ready going i nto a huge game.”