Munster have no time to think 'what if' - Mike Prendergast

Munster have a full list of excuses available but Mike Prendergast insists they are looking inward following Saturday's loss to Leinster.

A long list of injuries before kick-off, some questionable refereeing decisions and chaos on the sideline, which led to an admission from the URC that play should have been held up prior to Leinster’s third try when Munster were reduced to 14 players following three front-row injuries.

It was the last thing Graham Rowntree’ side needed against a pumped-up home side, who were still good value for their 26-12 victory.

However, had Munster taken the opportunities they created, they could have taken Leinster down the stretch.

"The word would be 'frustration’ after the game," backs coach Mike Prendergast told RTÉ Sport from South Africa as the side prepare for the Stormers on Saturday.

"When you peel it back and dissect the game, [we] scored two tries and a potential disallowed try that wasn’t looked at, and then two 2v1s, four or five metres from the line that you have to take, against the best teams, and Leinster being the best team.

"We would have spoken about it, when you do break them, which I felt we did on a couple of occasions, especially in the second half, we got in behind them, they are a very good team for creating another ruck.

"That’s where they come in and come up with a big play to stop you.

"Because our breaks were a good bit out, distance-wise, we actually had opportunities without them creating a ruck to finish off twice, 2v1s and we didn’t and it was that killer instinct.

"On the other side, the first 20 minutes, they did that, albeit, as we know, one of the scores [against] 14 men but they had that, they took their opportunities when they appeared, and we didn’t.

"It’s something