Official Newsletter

Team News | Munster Side To Face Cardiff At Thomond

March 29, 2024 11:50 am By The Editor

Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Beirne start for Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday night. Inpho

The Munster team has been named for Saturday night’s URC round 13 clash against Cardiff at Thomond Park (7.35pm).

Match tickets are still available from €20 here. Find out all you need to know ahead of the game here.

There are six changes to the side that beat Ospreys last week as Ireland internationals Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Peter O’Mahony all return to start.

Beirne captains the side with Stephen Archer, Jeremy Loughman and Alex Nankivell also coming back into the starting XV.

The in-form back three of Mike Haley, Seán O’Brien and Shane Daly is unchanged as Nankivell and Antoine Frisch renew their centre partnership with Craig Casey and Crowley in the half-backs.

Loughman, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer form the front row as RG Snyman and Beirne start together in the engine room.

O’Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes complete the side. Coombes continues his record of starting every game in the URC and Champions Cup so far this season,

Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley and John Ryan provide the front row back-up with Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover.

Academy scrum-half Ethan Coughlan, Joey Carbery and Simon Zebo are the backline replacements.

On the injury front, Calvin Nash (leg) was unavailable after picking up a knock in training.

Munster: Mike Haley; Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Joey Carbery, Simon Zebo.

Press Pass

Hear from Forwards Coach Andi Kyriacou and Joey Carbery ahead of the game.

Tickets

URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30

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

Women’s 6 Nations Round 3: Saturday, April 13

Ireland v Wales, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm; 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 Beat Cardiff In Thomond Park

March 30, 2024 10:19 pm By The Editor

Jack Crowley’s first senior try for Munster proved decisive as Graham Rowntree’s side saw off a battling Cardiff in this BKT United Rugby Championship contest at Thomond Park.

Munster were forced into a late change as World Cup winner RG Snyman was unavailable due to illness. Tom Ahern took his place in the second row with Jack Daly coming on to the bench.

There was just one score in the opening half when Crowley broke the deadlock shortly before the interval with a penalty from 30 metres.

Earlier a try in the left corner from John Hodnett had been ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up.

Munster extended their lead eight minutes after the restart after a couple of penalties to the left corner, with skipper Tadhg Beirne squeezing over to score. Crowley converted to make it 10-0.

However, Cardiff hit back after 55 minutes when centre Ben Thomas intercepted inside his own 22 and raced to score under the posts. Tinus de Beer converted to cut the gap to 10-7.

Cardiff, who had not won in 10 previous visits to Thomond Park, edged in front going into the final quarter when hooker Liam Belcher scored after they went to the left corner with a penalty to lead 12-10.

Crowley struck 16 minutes from time when he jinked through several tackles to score his first Munster try, adding the extras to lead 17-12.

The out-half made the game safe with a penalty five minutes from time, although Cardiff got a late bonus point when replacement Jacob Beetham scored in the closing stages.

URC Round 13 Round-Up

Jack Crowley scored his first Munster try in a 15 point haul and was also awarded the BKT Player of the Match.

Tonight’s win saw Munster secure 19 league points out of a possible 20 from the last four URC fixtures.

Munster are now in fourth place in the URC table, two points behind the Bulls in third and four points ahead of the Stormers in fifth.

Munster: Mike Haley (Simon Zebo 72); Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell (Joey Carbery 56), Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Ethan Coughlan 76); Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley 65), Niall Scannell (Eoghan Clarke 65), Stephen Archer (John Ryan 58); Tom Ahern (Alex Kendellen 72), Tadhg Beirne (c); Peter O’Mahony (Jack Daly 76), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.