Graham Rowntree backs Munster to turn form around

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree believes his side have what it takes to turn around their indifferent form, with the province set for an Investec Champions Cup rematch with Northampton Saints in April.

After a disappointing pool campaign in which they won just one game from four, Munster will face a last-16 trip to the Saints, whom they lost 26-23 to on Saturday at Thomond Park.

Their defeat continued a worrying trend that's emerged this season, in which they've consistently struggled with game management in adverse weather conditions, letting a 20-10 lead slip against Northampton, who had been playing with 14 men for the entire second half.

But the Munster coach remains adamant that his side can turn things around when they get a shot at revenge against the Premiership leaders in the next round.

"Yes, actually we do [believe]. We've proven that," he said, after the loss on Saturday.

"We’re going to lick our wounds tonight, look at it in the cold light of day. Kicking the ball off at the end there, we need to keep the ball on the field.

"We just kept giving them more lineouts to kill the game, moments like that, we’ve got to look at that. Get better."

While they have a four week layoff until their next competitive game in the URC, Munster will get a chance to shake off the frustration of that defeat when they host Crusaders in an exhibition game at a sold-out Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, 3 February, while there will also be a friendly away to Harlequins late in February as they look to stay sharp during the Six Nations break.

"Hugely frustrating so far as this is the last time that group is going to be together for a while. We've got guys going away on international duty. We’ve got a huge game for the club in Pairc Uí