‘He’s been significant’ – Graham Rowntree hails Ireland player’s impact in new role for Munster
Munster back-row Gavin Coombes and head coach Graham Rowntree.
Munster head coach Graham Rowntree expects his replacements to play an important role when they host Glasgow Warriors in their United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final at Thomond Park on Saturday.
The defending champions are currently on a 10-match winning streak in the URC since losing to Connacht in Galway on New Year’s Day and a major selection alteration from Rowntree on his team’s tour of South Africa in April has been crucial in maintaining their unbeaten run.
Selection surprise
Rowntree sprung a surprise by starting powerhouse number eight Gavin Coombes amongst Munster‘s reserves in the URC matches against the Bulls and Lions, but his introduction early in second half on both occasions had the desired effect as they secured important wins.
He repeated that tactic with Coombes and fellow first choice back-row John Hodnett in the Round 18 triumph over Ulster with the same end result and it helped Munster finish at the top of the standings at the end of the regular season.
“We hit South Africa and we delved into it the week of the Bulls game,” Rowntree told the Irish Mirror. “That was the first time we really got the bench we wanted on the pitch.
“They all want to start. But they’ve all seen the benefit of the guys coming off the bench. It’s a skill, that. Particularly for a big man, a 120 kilogram man, getting up to speed quickly.
“It’s a challenge, you’ve got to get up to speed quickly. You can’t be lagging behind play, otherwise the number nine will just take you on at the breakdown, and they’ll be away, you can’t give a penalty away. It’s a real skill to get up to that game speed.
“The thing the guys have recognised is that it’s a special job coming off the bench. They all want to start a game but they’ve seen how important it is, guys coming off the bench.”
The 53-year-old singled Coombes out for special praise as the Ireland international has bought into the idea and made four of his last six appearances off Munster’s replacements bench while also helping out at lock when required.
“He’s punched some numbers for us, if you look at the minutes he played last year,” said Rowntree.
“What’s he’s done this year is incredibly important to us. His tackling, carrying, lineout, maul, he’ll slip into the second-row and he helped us out there incredibly over the Christmas period when we were a bit barren in the second-row.
‘He’s been significant’
“I’m a big fan of Gav, and you’ve seen how our bench philosophy has changed since South Africa, and what we’ve been doing there. He’s been significant. What a luxury, to be able to bring that power on in the third quarter of the game.
“It’s not yet finalised, selection, or indeed our bench split – but I think the ability to bring on forwards like him against Glasgow, around that 50-minutes mark, or even earlier will be vital to us this week.”
READ MORE: United Rugby Championship semi-final fixtures and kick-off times confirmed
