All Eyes On Belfast
30th December 2015 By Munster Rugby
We preview Saturday’s action as Munster travel to Belfast for Round 11 of the Guinness PRO12. Both sides have a won six lost four record in the competition so far this season, however Ulster are ahead of their interprovincial rivals on the table courtesy of gaining more try bonus points.
In terms of momentum it’s Ulster who hold the lion’s share heading into this weekend’s game, the northern province winning their last four matches in all tournaments, most recently handing Connacht their first home defeat of the season and not forgetting their superb home and away wins over French giants Toulouse in the European Champions Cup.
Such impressive form has seen the Ulstermen maintain a fine home league record, remaining unbeaten at Kingspan Stadium in the PRO12 since defeat to Leinster in May 2014.
Munster in contrast have slipped to five straight defeats in all competitions, their worst run since season 2003/04, with their most recent away victory coming at Edinburgh in the PRO12 on the 7th of November.
Foley’s men will at least take confidence from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last three fixtures against Ulster, including a 32-28 win at Thomond Park in Round 6 this season. The Munstermen have not achieved a league double over Ulster since season 2010/11 – the most recent time they have been victorious in Belfast.
Head Coach Anthony Foley will name his side to face Ulster at midday on New Year’s Eve (Thursday).
Ulster v Munster, Guinness PRO12 Round 11, Saturday January 2nd at Kingspan Stadium – KO 3pm.
| Head To Head – Recent Guinness PRO12 Meetings |
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| Date | Venue | U | M | Ulster scorers | Munster scorers |
| Sat 29 Dec 12 | Thomond Park | 10 | 24 | Ali Birch(T) Stuart Olding(C) Niall O'Connor(P) | Peter O'Mahony(T) Ian Keatley(3C/P) Penalty Try(T) Simon Zebo(T) |
| Fri 3 Jan 14 | Kingspan Stadium | 29 | 19 | Darren Cave(T) Jared Payne(T) Ruan Pienaar(2C/5P) | Dave Kilcoyne(T) Ivan Dineen(T) James Coughlan(T) Ian Keatley(2C) |
| Sat 10 May 14 | Thomond Park | 19 | 17 | Michael Heaney(T) James McKinney(C/4P) | Sean Dougall(T) Ian Keatley(2C/P) Duncan Williams(T) |
| Fri 28 Nov 14 | Thomond Park | 20 | 21 | Ian Humphreys(5P) Nick Williams(T) | Robin Copeland(T) Ian Keatley(C/3P) Duncan Williams(T) |
| Sat 9 May 15 | Kingspan Stadium | 23 | 23 | Paddy Jackson(2C/3P) Tommy Bowe(T) Paul Marshall(T) | Keith Earls(T) Ian Keatley(6P) |
| Fri 30 Oct 15 | Thomond Park | 28 | 32 | Craig Gilroy(2T) Paddy Jackson(C/D/P) Dan Tuohy(T) Nick Williams(T) | Andrew Conway(T) Robin Copeland(T) Denis Hurley(T) Ian Keatley(2C/P) Gerhard van den Heever(T) Simon Zebo(T) |
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 19th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Wigglesworth (IRFU)
TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)
This game will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
