LOWS Mid-Season Injury Woes The 2022-23 champions limped into the New Year without either an away win or an interprovincial success as the queue for the treatment table grew week on week. They travelled to Connacht on January 1 without injured players of the calibre of Peter O’Mahony, RG Snyman, Jean Kleyn, Dave Kilcoyne, Diarmuid Barron, Joey Carbery, Alex Nankevill and Mike Haley, lost Eoghan Clarke and Fineen Wycherley before kick-off and then Oli Jager and Jack O’Donoghue in the first half. “Happy New Year,” Rowntree grumbled following the rain-sodden 22-9 Galway loss.
Losing home and way to Northampton Saints English Premiership champions they may now be but Saints laid down a marker for their title success with two impressive Champions Cup wins over the URC title holders, first in the pool at Thomond Park in January and then to knock them out in a Round of 16 clash at Franklin’s Gardens in April as Munster reeled from illness in the camp. Coming up short to Glasgow Having earned top seeding and home advantage, Munster blew their chance to win back-to-back URC titles by falling to semi-final opponents the Warriors at Thomond Park. And they will be kicking themselves they lost their way when it mattered most, spurning a succession of strong positions and try-scoring opportunities as Glasgow took the only two that came their way in clinical fashion.
HIGHS Winning at Toulon A week after hitting rock bottom with that New Year’s Day derby loss at Connacht, Munster.
