Munster coach hails "best day ever" after URC win

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree hailed Saturday's URC final win over the Stormers as the pinnacle of his coaching career.

The Irish giants fought tooth and nail in a tense final, which saw them trailing by two points for most of the second half. But after an error by the hosts and a long passage of play, flanker John Hodnett finished off a well-worked move in the corner in the 74th minute, proving what was to be the knockout blow.

The visitors emerged victorious 19-14, silencing the Cape Town supporters. Rountree, who could barely contain his excitement at the final whistle, hailed the massive team effort under pressure.

"It's absolute bravery by staying in the game," said the former British and Irish Lions player, as per rugby365.com.

"When it gets tight and the scoreline is close, that is bravery to show that skill level and to get John over the line.

"But all that comes from being battle-hardened and being used to doing that in big games over the last couple of months.

"It was a fraught end to the game there. With 15 minutes to go, we had some injuries and we had to make some big decisions. It was a quite consuming game, to say the least."

Rountree cut his teeth as a forwards coach for the likes of England and the British and Irish Lions before landing the head coach job at Munster for this season. For the Englishman, Saturday is a day he'll never forget.

"It's my best ever," he continued.

"It will sink in at some point depending on how much pinotage I drink in the next 12 hours. It's my best day ever. Just in the manner in which we have done it. Away from home and not rotating the squad a lot. I am immensely proud."