MUNSTER kicked-off their defence of the United Rugby Championship Trophy with a merited win over Sharks at Thomond Park.
However, in an interesting recall through a brilliant wide-ranging interview with Gavan Casey of 42.ie, coach Graham Rowntree revealed that it is lucky that the prized possession is still in Limerick.
Post the Thomond Park homecoming, Rowntree revealed: “We ended up in Rashers pub in town at 11:30 that night. All of a sudden, it’s full of rugby fans who’d heard that we were there.
“I remember looking at the trophy – I was going to leave in half an hour – and I remember thinking, ‘If I don’t get this trophy home, it’s going to end up in the Shannon.’ I got in a cab, brought the trophy with me. Fell asleep in the cab but made it home. I was putting the key in the door and the taxi driver taps me on the shoulder: ‘Your trophy, sir.’
“So much for safekeeping.
“The next morning, I had to go to SuperValu to buy some glue. The top had come off it. There’s a screwable, blue top but this little inner piece had come out.”
Running repairs aside, Munster will be keen to hold on to the Trophy for another little while.
