Stormers boss Dobson sounds warning over Munster's impressive run to final

Stormers boss Dobson sounds warning over Munster's impressive run to final

Stormers head coach John Dobson has warned against underestimating an in-form Munster side in tomorrow's United Rugby Championship final in Cape Town.

While the men in blue are chasing back-to-back URC titles, Munster have not won a major trophy for 12 years.

But Graham Rowntree's team - beaten finalists in 2015, 2017 and 2021 - have shown their quality through some outstanding late-season form.

And their sequence of impressive results includes a 26-24 away victory over the Stormers last month - the only defeat they've suffered in Cape Town in the last two years.

"They came here and ended our unbeaten record, then they go to the Sharks (in Durban) - a fully-loaded Sharks - and draw," Dobson said.

"They go to Scotstoun in Glasgow, who haven't lost there in the whole season, they win in Glasgow and they then go and win in Leinster. That is phenomenal.

"Graham Rowntree is obviously a very bright coach. He has done an exceptional job with Munster. He is a really nice guy, a true rugby guy, and what they have done lately is remarkable."

Rowntree has made three changes from the side that defeated semi-final opponents Leinster, with centre Malakai Fekitoa, scrum-half Conor Murray and wing Calvin Nash all returning after completing return-to-play protocols following the quarter-finals.

Assessing the challenge, Rowntree said: "Looking at how we broke them down (in April) and dealt with their power game will help, but they will be better than that night.

"They will be battle-hardened themselves, so it will be a real challenge for us.

"But we are in a final, we back the work we've done, we back our fitness. There is loads to improve on in our game."