Good evening, and welcome along to The 42’s live coverage of Bath versus Munster in the Champions Cup.

Munster kick off their campaign against the Challenge Cup champions at The Rec — where a familiar face, Johann van Grain, is in charge.

A big challenge lies ahead for Clayton McMillan’s side, after their unbeaten URC run come to an end at home to the Stormers last weekend.

Kick-off is 8pm, with live TV coverage on Premier Sports 1, but we’ll keep you up to date right here.

Team News

Munster have made a change to the XV they named yesterday, with Edwin Edogbo coming in for his Champions Cup debut as Jean Kleyn withdraws for ‘personal reasons’.

Fineen Wycherley is added to the matchday squad, named among the replacements. The previous big news was that Jack Crowley misses out with an ankle injury, and JJ Hanrahan starts at 10.

A change to the Munster team named yesterday sees Edwin Edogbo come into the starting XV for his #InvestecChampionsCup debut as Jean Kleyn withdraws for personal reasons.

Fineen Wycherley comes into the squad among the replacements.#SUAF 🔴 | #BATvMUN pic.twitter.com/FdYZ8TEbh5

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 6, 2025

Bath: 15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Max Ojomoh, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Henry Arundell, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben Spencer (c), 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Quinn Roux, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Guy Pepper, 8. Miles Reid

Replacements: 16. Kepu Tuipulotu, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Ross Molony, 20. Ted Hill, 21. Tom Carr-Smith, 22. Santi Carreras, 23. Sam Underhill

Munster: 15. Shane Daly, 14. Diarmuid Kilgallen, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Dan Kelly, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. JJ Hanrahan, 9. Craig Casey, 1. Michael Milne, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. John Ryan, 4. Edwin Edogbo, 5. Tom Ahern, 6. Tadhg Beirne (c), 7. John Hodnett, 8. Gavin Coombes

Replacements: 16. Lee Barron, 17. Jeremy Loughman, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Fineen Wycherley, 20. Ruadhan Quinn, 21. Ethan Coughlan, 22. Alex Nankivell, 23. Alex Kendellen

Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France).

Munster's Tadhg Beirne, referee Jérémy Rozier and Bath's Ben Spencer during the coin toss. Dan Clohessy / INPHO Dan Clohessy / INPHO / INPHO

Pre-match Reading

A couple of oddities to begin with: Munster have not faced Bath in a competitive game for over 25 years, the sides splitting victories in an October doubleheader back in 2000.

And perhaps more curiously still, it’s been 20 years since former champions Bath won a Champions Cup knockout tie.

The 1998 winners — England’s first — have left virtually no imprint on Europe’s top tier since then, but that’s bound to change this term.

Fitting that it took a former Munster head coach to place a fresh emphasis on winning continental silverware.

• Gavan Casey’s match preview will whet the appetite

Munster's general manager Ian Costello and Bath's head coach Johann van Graan ahead of the match. Dan Clohessy / INPHO Dan Clohessy / INPHO / INPHO

On the face of things, losing at the Rec would not be a disaster for Munster, but when you consider their run of fixtures there is a sense they need to scrap for every point possible. Home games against Gloucester and Castres either side of Christmas look more winnable, but the round three visit to a resurgent Toulon, less so. If the province can win their home games, and get a result in one of Bath or Toulon, they will be in a strong position to kick on in the knockouts. 

• And if you have time for more, Ciarán Kennedy’s Champions Cup tee-up looks at the bigger picture

Team News

Another change to the Munster XV: Jeremy Loughman starts, with Michael Milne ruled out after picking up a knock in the warm-up. Josh Wycherley comes onto the bench.

A late change to the Munster team ahead of kick-off.

Michael Milne has been ruled out after picking up a knock.

Jeremy Loughman starts with Josh Wycherley coming onto the bench. #SUAF 🔴 | #BATvMUN

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 6, 2025

Michael Milne has been injured in Munster’s warm up.

Jeremy Loughman into the starting pack and Josh Wycherley onto bench.

Another change for Munster after losing Jean Kleyn for personal reasons. pic.twitter.com/sEIO4sw1BM

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) December 6, 2025

Right. Call it?

KICK-OFF - Munster get us underway as the rain buckets down. 

“What a night for it,” says Simon Zebo on commentary. “It’s like we’re in Limerick!”

2’ – BAT 0-0 MUN: Difficult conditions, the ball has already been spilled a few times. 

Big clearance kick from Ben Spencer to release the pressure after Munster look to pen them in good and early.

4’ – BAT 0-0 MUN: Munster win a penalty at that lineout, and Hanrahan finds touch at the edge of the 22. Bath disrupt the next one, Spencer clears to a similar position deja vu…

6′ – BAT 0-0 MUN: Bath again intervene, and Spencer kicks into the backfield. Shane Daly does well with an awkward clearance, but can only go five metres from his own line. Bath will look to punish from the set-piece.

PENALTY TRY FOR BATH! 

And yellow card for Tadhg Beirne for infringing the maul.

7-0. A big challenge just got bigger for Munster.

8′ – BAT 7-0 MUN: Bath are on the hunt again after another superb Spencer kick follows a lost Munster lineout.

And another… Diarmuid Barron’s throw is not straight. 10m scrum for Bath.

TRY FOR BATH!

Myles Reid gets over, after Bath move through the phases after the scrum. Finn Russell adds the extras. 14-0, just like that.

TRY FOR BATH! Three and easy…

Eeeeeeeek. Munster are turned over, a superb chipped kick sits up perfectly just before the try-line and Cameron Redpath dots down. 

Russell converts from a tight angle.

21-0. Wow.

14′ – BAT 21-0 MUN: Confirmation of the score after a hectic few minutes. The dream start for Bath, absolute nightmare for Munster. A reminder, too, they are down a man with Beirne in the sinbin.

17′ – BAT 21-0 MUN: Beirne is back on the pitch. A 21-point yellow card is how it’s put on commentary. Just error after error for Munster, Bath have been brilliant.

TRY FOR BATH! 

Bonus point secured in the 18th minute. Jeeeeez!

19′ BAT 28-0 MUN: Tom Dunn with the try, Russell adds the extras – everything is going right for the hosts.

They win a penalty off a scrum, the maul is unstoppable and Dunn has the final say.

21′ BAT 28-0 MUN: Munster finally settle with a few positive moments. Redpath is penalised at the breakdown, Hanrahan kicks to touch and the lineout is good. And they win a couple of penalties to get in the hunt.

TRY FOR MUNSTER!

Edwin Edogbo on his Champions Cup debut!

23′ – BAT 28-7 MUN: Hanrahan’s conversion is good, and Munster are up and running. A tap-and-go sent Edogbo after, a nice moment for him on a horrible night so far.

27′ – BAT 28-7 MUN: Bath look to hit back immediately, Hanrahan clears Munster’s lines and there’s a bit of over and back.

Munster have won a penalty at the breakdown around the middle, Hanrahan goes to the corner. Big chance here, if Munster can get their line out right.

The stats flash up: 100% line out success for Bath, 56% for Munster. That tells a story in itself.

YELLOW CARD FOR BATH! 

Will Stuart off to the bin, after a couple of warnings and tensions boiling over.

30′ – BAT 28-7 MUN: Frustration for Munster as the opportunity goes a-begging, Hanrahan’s grubber overruning in the corner. A let-off for 14-man Bath.

Munster's big travelling support doing their best to lift their team at The Rec.

Big rendition of The Fields just now.

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) December 6, 2025

32′ – BAT 28-7 MUN: Russell miscues a penalty out over the dead ball line.

Spencer is penalised for a deliberate knock on. “Lucky boy,” they ponder on commentary. Munster back on the hunt.

Meanwhile, Thomas du Toit comes in for Miles Reid.

34′ – BAT 28-7 MUN: The latest Munster attack breaks down as John Hodnett fumbles a Hanrahan pass. That’s twice now in the last few minutes they’ve come out of the Bath 22 empty-handed. 

37′ – BAT 28-7 MUN: Bath’s latest attack sees Spencer’s cross-field kick sail over the sideline. Wrong option, he’ll be disappointed with that.

TRY FOR BATH!

Beno Obano, 33-7.

39′ – BAT 35-7 MUN: Russell adds the extras, after Obano powers over. Remember, Bath are a man down. 

Munster desperately searching for a response before the break.

40′ BAT 35-7 MUN: Shane Daly with 50:22 to breathe life into the Munster challenge!

TRY FOR MUNSTER!

Craig Casey on the stroke of half-time, 35-12. Munster work through the phases from the line out, looking to go coast to coast with some big carries, and Casey applies the finishing touch.

HALF-TIME: Bath 35-14 Munster

Hanrahan adds the extras, and that is that for a madcap opening period.

And breathe!

Well, that was wild. 

Bath blitzed into a 28-0 lead, securing the try bonus point by the 18th minute. 

Munster were reeling after an early yellow card to Tadhg Beirne, and a catalogue of errors. But they will believe they are still in the game, somehow, after tries from Edwin Edogobo and Craig Casey.

Back in a few!

Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO

SECOND-HALF – Russell restarts the action for Bath.

Michael Ala’alatoa in for John Ryan to make his Munster debut.

43′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Alex Nankivell, Lee Barron and Josh Wycherley are all in for Munster. Bath make one change, with Sam Underhill replacing Guy Pepper.

Russell miscues another kick, it skids over the dead ball line. Good attacking platform for Munster so, off the scrum. They’ll hope fresh legs and fresh minds can be effective.

44′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Scrum penalty for Munster, with Jeremy Loughman leading the charge. YES BOYS comes the roar.

Hanrahan with a superb kick right into the corner. Big moment…

45′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Urrrghhhh. Another Munster line out malfunction, and Bath win the ball back.

Spencer clears under pressure, he gets the distance but not the accuracy as it lands in Munster hands, but a Shane Daly knock on puts an end to any hopes of Munster rallying.

Frustration afer frustration.

Bath's Josh Bayliss is challenged by Tadhg Beirne, Shane Daly and Gavin Coombes of Munster. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO

49′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Bath concede a penalty at the breakdown. Lengthy stoppage, as Will Stuart receives treatment and leaves in discomfort to a big reception. Du Toit comes back in. Munster also make a change: Alex Kendellen replaces John Hodnett.

52′ BAT 35-14 MUN: Munster then concede a penalty. It’s been scrappy the last few minutes, both sides struggling to get a real foothold.

Another inaccurate Munster line out, Barron finds Beirne to nail the next one and the visitors look to move through the phases.

53′ BAT 35-14 MUN: Hanrahan with a good kick from deep to win some territory. Munster are passive at the line out, and Bath momentarily clear via a Spencer box kick.

Hanrahan on the charge, Bath pinged for an off the ball tackle…

Munster change amidst all of that: Ruadhán Quinn for Edogbo

57′ BAT 35-14 MUN: Hanrahan finds touch, as Munster look to move through the gears. Tom de Glanville tackles Thaakir Abrahams into touch, the crowd love it.

Munster have the throw though – it came off him first. Du Toit is penalised, another opportunity for Munster.

58′ BAT 35-14 MUN: The Munster line out is dodgy again but they get it going, and start to threaten. Another Bath penalty, and referee warning, as the hosts hold them up near the try-line.

61′ BAT 35-14 MUN: Munster lose the ball, Dunn pouncing as Bath hold firm. The referee awards a 5m scrum for a Munster knock-on. Not happy with the first attempt, we go again…

Josh Wycherley is in for Jeremy Loughman for Munster.

62′ BAT 35-14 MUN: Penalty for Bath at the scrum, they can clear their lines to huge cheers from the players and fans. 

Bath make several subs, Ross Molony among them.

64′ BAT 35-14 MUN: Nankivell spills into touch. Casey’s kick is inaccurate. The second half has been pretty stop-start and scrappy. Bath won’t mind as they see it out, but Munster frustration will only grow.

66′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: An error on the other side as a Bath player knocks on. Munster work through the hands from the scrum, can they find an opening?

68′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: The answer is no, Underhill stepping up with a jackal penalty.

Fineen Wycherley, just on, is forced off through injury and Edogbo returns.

Russell with a big 50:20!!!

72′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Munster had been building some pressure the last few minutes, but Tom Farrell offloads to the wrong jersey and Bath clear their lines. 

Ethan Coughlan comes in for Craig Casey.

73′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Ahern knocks on a Coughlan pass that drops short, and Bath have a scrum in a good position. Might we see the first score of the second half?

75′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Munster do enough to keep them out on that occasion, but they’re under the cosh again. Ahern steps up with a big turnover to relieve some pressure, Hanrahan tries to go quickly but the referee pulls him back. He successfully finds touch, can Munster find something late?

77′ – BAT 35-14 MUN: Munster penalty right in the middle of the field, Reid with a big hit on Ala’alatoa but he’s pinged for not rolling away. Time to roll the dice…

TRY FOR BATH!

Ted Hill finishes off a spectacular team move, Spencer with some magic.

Russell doesn’t add the extras, 40-14.

79′ – BAT 40-14: How that changed… a loose Munster pass ultimately leads to a breakaway. 

Spencer is named Man of the Match. 

FULL-TIME: Bath 40-14 Munster

Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO

So, that’s that. The damage was done in the first half. A statement win for Bath, a night to forget for Munster. Yes, the start was a nightmare, but they left a lot behind them out there.

We’ll leave the live coverage there, Murray Kinsella’s report from The Rec is on The 42.

Thanks for reading – goodnight!