'We are the world’s specialists at leaving ourselves a tough job' - Munster's Graham Rowntree

Munster coach Graham Rowntree has expressed his frustration over his side's defeat against Exeter Chiefs in the second round of the Investec Champions Cup at Sandy Park on Sunday.

The result follows their draw over Bayonne in the opening round which meant they now have three points from two matches as they are positioned fifth in Pool 3. They now face a must-win scenario in the competition with games against Toulon and Northampton Saints left.

“We are the world’s specialists at leaving ourselves a tough job and making things hard for ourselves. Factually, the world leaders in making life tough for ourselves. We’ll deal with that when it comes.

“So much good stuff tonight in our game, both sides of the ball, then it just got away from us in that last quarter. I don’t think it’s a fitness thing, I don’t think it’s a tactical thing or a substitution thing. You just look at the moment we’ve got to be better in. That’s all I’ve got for you.”

In the game against Exeter, Munster were leading with a 13-24 margin by the 50th minute riding on tries from Calvin Nash, Tom Ahern, Antoine Frisch and Shane Daly. However, Exeter bounced back in the final quarter with Ross Vintcent, Jack Dunne and Henry Slade touching down for Rob Baxter's men to complete a 32-24 victory.

“It’s never over, is it? The game’s never over,” said the Munster head coach. “We did some great things, scored some cracking tries, got the four-try bonus point doing some good things. I’d reiterate that – we did some pretty good things tonight.

“But some things just got away from us. They got away from us. I’m really frustrated with the last try, the circumstances around that. Their third try was just crazy, against the run of play.

“We turned around at half time, didn’t change much tactically. Our kicking game wasn’t as strong but I’m really frustrated with those last two tries we conceded against a great team."