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Team News | Munster Side To Face Northampton

January 19, 2024 11:58 am By The Editor

Oli Jager makes his first Champions Cup start. Inpho

The Munster side has been named for Saturday’s final Investec Champions Cup Pool clash against Northampton Saints at Thomond Park.

The game kicks off at 5.30pm with the final tickets available here.

There is one change to the side that beat Toulon in France last week as Oli Jager starts at tighthead prop after completing the return to play protocols. It will be Jager’s first Champions Cup start and his fifth appearance for Munster.

Tadhg Beirne captains the team as all nine Munster players who were named in the Ireland squad and training panel for the 6 Nations are named in the squad.

The unchanged backline includes three of last week’s try-scorers in Alex Nankivell, Calvin Nash and Simon Zebo.

Zebo, Nash and Shane Daly start together in the back three with Nankivell and Antoine Frisch continuing their centre partnership.

Ireland internationals Craig Casey and Jack Crowley are named in the half-backs.

Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Jager pack down in the front row with Tom Ahern, a try-scorer last week, and Beirne in the engine room.

New Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the side.

Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley and John Ryan provide the front row back-up.

First year Academy back-row forward Brian Gleeson is in line for his ninth appearance of the season off the bench and was named in the Ireland U20s squad for the 6 Nations this week. Alex Kendellen completes the forward cover.

Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Seán O’Brien are the backline replacements.

In player news, replacement hooker Eoghan Clarke, who joined Munster on a short-term deal in November, has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the province until the end of the season.

Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Tom Ahern, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Seán O’Brien.

Press Pass

Hear from Defence Coach Denis Leamy and Tom Ahern ahead of the game.

Tickets

Champions Cup Round 4: Saturday, January 20

Munster Rugby v Northampton Saints, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, February 3

Munster Rugby v Crusaders, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5pm; SOLD OUT

URC Round 11: Friday, March 1

Munster v Zebre Parma, Musgrave Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30

Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11

Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

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Report

Report | Munster Fall To Defeat At Thomond Park

January 20, 2024 8:22 pm By The Editor

Munster fell to defeat in their final Investec Champions Cup pool game as Northampton Saints came with a strong finish in the final quarter to claim victory at Thomond Park.

Munster did secure their passage into the Round of 16 due to the losing bonus point picked up.

Munster led 15-7 at the break after Northampton were reduced to 13 players with a red card to hooker Curtis Langdon just before the interval and a yellow card to full-back George Furbank three minutes earlier.

Northampton hit the front at the end of the opening quarter when scrum-half Alex Mitchell crossed and his half-back partner Fin Smith converted.

Jack Crowley reduced the margin nine minutes from the break with a penalty from 30 metres and Munster hit the front two minutes from the break when Antoine Frisch finished after a tapped penalty.

Crowley converted and then in stoppage time at the end of the opening half Peter O’Mahony scored in the right corner to lead 15-7 at the break.

Smith pulled back a penalty three minutes after the restart with the wind behind him before Munster got in for their third try when Gavin Coombes scored several phases after another tapped penalty.

That pushed Munster 20-10 in front after 49 minutes but Northampton hit back and Smith landed a penalty and a drop goal to cut the gap to four points.

Crowley pushed the lead out to 23-16 after 64 minutes but another penalty from Smith left four between them.

Northampton went back in front when Sam Graham scored and Smith converted nine minutes from time and Munster were unable to produce a late winner but are through to the last 16 in the Investec Champions Cup.

Champions Cup Round 4 Round-Up

Munster secured passage into the Champions Cup knockout stages for the 22nd time after securing a losing bonus-point against the Northampton Saints.

Tom Ahern and Simon Zebo departed with injuries.

Munster: Simon Zebo (Sean O’Brien 43); Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell (Joey Carbery 76), Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley 67), Niall Scannell (Eoghan Clarke 67), Oli Jager (John Ryan 50); Tom Ahern (Brian Gleeson 40), Tadhg Beirne (c); Peter O’Mahony (Alex Kendellen 65), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.