In his first two seasons in charge of Munster, Graham Rowntree has been fond of saying that Munster "don't do things easy".
The first 80 minutes of the 2024/25 BKT United Rugby Championship season would indicate not much has changed.
In a game they looked like losing three or four different times, Munster somehow pulled a win out from behind a couch cushion against Connacht, coming from behind four times to eventually win 35-33.
Coming out the right side of a 10-try interpro to start the season is certainly something to celebrate, and Rowntree was quick to credit his players for the character they showed to stay in the fight when Connacht repeatedly landed haymakers.
On the other side of the coin is the realisation that if Munster have to go to the well like that every week, eventually it will run dry.
"We’ve got lots to work on," was Rowntree’s assessment of the win.
"We go on the road next week to Zebre and we’ve got lots to work on. We’ll see who’s fit and available but we’ll crack on with that.
"I’m just delighted. They were a physical side, a bloody physical side and just delighted to win.
"You've got to be challenging, you've got to be skilful, you've got to be quick; you've got to hit the ground running, both teams did that today.
"We weren't perfect, but I was really impressed by them [Connacht]. I just said that to Pete [Wilkins], impressed by their physicality in the carry and the ruck. They'll have a good season."
The hope for Munster is that the errors that got them into trouble on Saturday can be ironed out over the coming weeks. The province have taken a shorter pre-season training schedule than other sides, which Rowntree is confident will stand to them over when it set to be another long calendar.
Munster coach Graham Rowntree pays tribute to both sides after the URC win over Connacht, but admits his team have "plenty to work on". #MUNvCON pic.twitter.com/F40Bib7ZK8
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 21, 2024
"We did have a short pre-season, for good reason. We’ve got to look after the lads.
"I’m chuffed with the work we’ve done, we’ve not been soft in pre-season but it will stand to us when we get to the darker days around Christmas. We’ve got a lot in the bank.
"No, they’ve [Connacht] had three games. I wouldn’t have wanted the third game, just the risk of injuries... it really stretches your squad.
"It's good to know that we've got plenty in the tank."
One area of the game that particularly pleased Rowntree was the connection between their new centre partnership of Tom Farrell and Alex Nankivell.
Farrell made his debut on Saturday against his former province, replacing Antoine Frisch who joined Toulon.
Nankivell was making his first outing of the campaign, having been suspended for the pre-season defeats to Bath and Gloucester, following his red card in the URC semi-final defeat to Glasgow in June.
"He came back in cracking condition, did Nanks. Fit, hungry. He missed two pre-season games with the ban... Tom has fitted in seamlessly, he's quick.
"We've got some real competition in midfield now.
"I'm delighted with Tom, he did really well. We took him off because he was cramping a bit, but we'll crack on."
