Evening, and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s URC interpro clash in Belfast, where Munster are in town to take on Richie Murphy’s Ulster.
Ciarán Kennedy here to bring you all the action as it happens. Kick-off is at 7.35pm, and as always, we’ll start by getting your score predictions in the comment section.
Here’s a reminder of how the two teams line up tonight:
Ulster
- 15. Michael Lowry
- 14. Werner Kok
- 13. Jude Postlethwaite
- 12. Stuart McCloskey
- 11. Zac Ward
- 10. Aidan Morgan
- 9. John Cooney
- 1. Andrew Warwick
- 2. Rob Herring
- 3. Tom O’Toole
- 4. Alan O’Connor (capt)
- 5. Kieran Treadwell
- 6. James McNabney
- 7. Marcus Rea
- 8. David McCann
Replacements:
- 16. John Andrew
- 17. Eric O’Sullivan
- 18. Scott Wilson
- 19. Harry Sheridan
- 20. Matty Rea
- 21. Dave Shanahan
- 22. Jack Murphy
- 23. Rory Telfer
Munster
- 15. Mike Haley
- 14. Calvin Nash
- 13. Tom Farrell
- 12. Alex Nankivell
- 11. Shane Daly
- 10. Jack Crowley
- 9. Paddy Patterson
- 1. John Ryan
- 2. Niall Scannell
- 3. Stephen Archer
- 4. Tom Ahern
- 5. Fineen Wycherley
- 6. Jack O’Donoghue (capt)
- 7. John Hodnett
- 8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
- 16. Eoghan Clarke
- 17. Dave Kilcoyne
- 18. Oli Jager
- 19. Evan O’Connell
- 20. Alex Kendellen
- 21. Ethan Coughlan
- 22. Rory Scannell
- 23. Brian Gleeson
TRY ULSTER! (O’Toole)
8mins: Ulster 7 Munster 0
Ulster get into the Munster 22 after a big carry from James McNabney, and build some pressure before winning a penalty. Aidan Morgan kicks to the corner.
From the lineout, Ulster go close but Munster hold them out with a big defensive effort, before conceding another penalty. Ulster pummel at the line again and win another penalty for offside. Rob Herring drives at the line before Tom O’Toole finally gets Ulster over, with John Cooney adding the conversion. Good start for the home side.
10mins: Ulster 7 Munster 0
Poor errors as Munster captain Jack O’Donoghue is pinged for offside on the restart, and then Jack Crowley misses a kick to touch.
16mins: Ulster 7 Munster 0
The errors really piling up here. Munster spill a lineout in the Ulster half and then Stuart McCloskey drops a pass he really should have held. Conditions look alright so both sides will hope their handling improves here.
As I type, Shane Daly meets Michael Lowry with a big hit but Lowry bounces off it and keeps his feet.
22mins: Ulster 7 Munster 0
Really frustrating for Ulster. They get back into the Munster 22 from a maul and pacey Lowry break. The home side work through some patient phases, with John Cooney at the heart of it, before they’re pinged for a croc roll.
23mins: Ulster 7 Munster 0
Ulster winger Zac Ward goes down heavily on his ankle in the tackle and looks in a fair bit of pain. He gets his left boot taped up and will try play on.
26mins: Ulster 7 Munster 0
And Zac Ward is now off, replaced by Rory Telfer. Not a whole lot else happening at the moment – it’s been pretty poor stuff so far.
TRY MUNSTER! (Farrell)
29mins: Ulster 7 Munster 5
Scratch what I was just saying, Munster have just sparked into life!
Tom Farrell does really well to finish in the corner, after quick hands by Jack Crowley, Mike Haley and Shane Daly. Crowley’s conversion is off target.
This game needed that!
RED CARD ULSTER! (O’Toole)
32mins: Ulster 7 Munster 5
Big, big moment.
Munster centre Alex Nankivell was in for a poach on Rob Herring, but a clear out from Tom O’Toole sends Nankivell back awkwardly on his left leg. It’s clumsy from O’Toole and he’s shown a red card. Nankivell plays on with his left knee strapped up.
39mins: Ulster 7 Munster 5
And now Stuart McCloskey’s night is done. Not sure what the injury is but he’s clearly in some discomfort, so he limps off and Jack Murphy is in for his debut.
HALF-TIME: Ulster 7 Munster 5
A strange ending to a poor 40 minutes in Belfast. Ulster have the ball in the Munster half after a scrum but Murphy kicks it dead.
I’m off to attack a box of Celebrations. Will be back with you in 15.
42mins: Ulster 7 Munster 5
And we’re something to look at straightaway. Jack Crowley leaves a boot out as he collects a high ball and it catches Werner Kok on the shoulder. The Ulster fans are not happy as the replay flashes up but there will be no further action.
48mins: Ulster 7 Munster 5
It’s getting a bit spicy now. Daly and Haley combine well for Munster before Haley is stopped. Ulster now looking to build some pressure from a lineout just outside the Munster 22.
TRY MUNSTER! (Farrell)
53mins: Ulster 7 Munster 10
Great try from Munster.
Crowley clips a short kick out wide and Farrell does well to offload inside to Haley. The Munster fullback is tackled but gets the ball out to Farrell who runs it home. Crowley misses the conversion.
57mins: Ulster 7 Munster 10
Ulster go close through Scott Wilson but the decision is no try. Munster’s penalty count rising as Ulster hammer away in the 22 with no reward.
From a third lineout in the corner, Ulster build some momentum before Wilson breaks away, but he’s stopped short. Marcus Rea nudges them closer to the line but referee Ben Whitehouse needs to check with the TMO….
And Rea was held up!
Another big passage of Ulster pressure ends with nothing on the scoreboard – it’s a goalline drop-out for Munster.
Yellow card Munster (Scannell)
62mins: Ulster 7 Munster 10
It’s all Ulster at the moment but Munster defending well – if living on the edge a little. Rory Scannell is shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on after sticking a hand out to a Cooney pass. It will be 14 v 14 for the next 10 minutes.
TRY ULSTER! (Sheridan)
67mins: Ulster 12 Munster 10
Ulster finally get their second try after some massive defence from Munster. Ulster had a lineout in the corner – their fourth in a short space of time – but they couldn’t push over the line as Alex Kendellen manages to get the rip.
Munster clear before another Ulster lineout. This time Kendellen is pinged for coming in at the side. Cue another lineout, which on this occasion gets Ulster’s maul moving before Harry Sheridan muscles over. They had to work hard for that one!
Cooney can’t add the extras so it’s a two-point game.
TRY MUNSTER! (Daly)
69mins: Ulster 12 Munster 15
How’s that for a response!
Munster strike back immediately with a well-executed score. A nice pass out the back from Brian Gleeson gets Munster’s attack moving and they work the ball wide to Daly via Nash and Farrell. Daly dummies the pass inside before backing himself to sprint for the line. He’s had a smashing game.
Crowley is well off target again from the tee as he misses his third conversion from the night.
71mins: Ulster 12 Munster 15
It’s all happening now!
Scott Wilson is stopped short after making a brilliant break for the line. Ulster get the reinforcements in before winning a penalty, with Munster warned they might have another yellow card coming.
Ulster regather and try to muscle over, but they knock the ball on on the line. Big chance missed there.
74mins: Ulster 12 Munster 15
Wow!
Munster nearly go end-to-end after pinching an Ulster lineout as Farrell races up the pitch. He initially delays the pass out wide and when he goes for it, Kok has got back to intercept. A breathless passage of play. Munster hanging on to their slim lead here as we head into the closing five minutes.
TRY ULSTER! (McNabney)
78mins: Ulster 19 Munster 15
Ulster might just have grabbed the winner!
They’ve spent most of the second half deep in Munster territory and this time they batter their way towards the tryline, with a big carry from Wilson, before McNabney forces his was way over. Cooney converts and Ulster lead by four. Can they see it out?
This is getting silly now! For the second time in this half, Munster hit back immediately. It’s a clinical attack from Munster, with Nash showing great hands before Tom Ahern makes a smart contribution and Farrell steps inside to score his hat-trick try. He’s been outstanding tonight.
Crowley converts and Munster steal the win!
FULLTIME: Ulster 19 Munster 22
What a game in Belfast! After a pretty horrible first half, the second 40 was a rollercoaster. Munster were really poor for large parts of the game but they leave with a bonus-point win. Ulster will wonder how they let that one slip.
Thanks for joining our live coverage. We’ll have a full match report from Declan Bogue on The 42 shortly, as well as all the reaction from both camps. Take care!
I think that this statement says it all. It is all about having Leinster win at all costs. Humphries has the neck to say oh we really facilitated Munster with the three month contract for Beuler. I understand that he he is a Sharks player but on the day he leaves Munsters three loose head props are all injured and Humphries is most concerned about Leinster’s pathway to success for next season and into the future. It is difficult not to feel totally screwed.
@Brian Gallivan: I don’t think that it is but it’s now put the focus on the need to have flexibility with the rules and definitely have exceptions, which hasn’t been the case. Leinster have hopefully convinced the IRFU to be more flexible and this should benefit all the provinces. Notice, I’ve used the word “should”, if not then we will have animosity which helps no one.
@Brian Gallivan: seems more like a general rolling back on the stated policy. I didn’t see anything there about Leinster specifically having different treatment, though he did mention money and Leinster have been doing well out of playing in the Aviva
@Mark O’Keeffe: Honestly it doesn’t feel that way to me. We won’t go to the Irish game on Saturday can’t move the feeling that Munster are being screwed by the IRFU. Something else quite interesting reports that Munster are signing Milne and Barron from Leinster Milne is injured at the moment but Barron nowhere near the squad last weekend despite Kelliher and McCarthy being with the Irish squad.
@Brian Gallivan: bizarre that’s what you got from his quotes. Leinster are not getting preferential treatment. I reckon you had this comment typed out ready to go before you even read the article
@adizlack93: Of course he did. Typed with one hand and the beggars bowl in the other. Didn’t you know dastardly Leinster are 100% responsible for the previous years of mismanagement off the pitch by Munster
@Carmine Lorenzo: the early success Munster had has really given some of their fans a sense of entitlement. Like it’s their god given right to be on top yet they can’t produce their own players to maintain the success of old and so demand that the IRFU helps to level the playing field at every opportunity
@adizlack93: Yeah there is definitely that with a part of their cohort alright. Will blame everyone else rather than looking inward. Thankfully we get a few very balanced fans on here too.
@Brian Gallivan: it was agreed with Sharks when he was returning. It’s not hard to understand.
@adizlack93: SAD
@Carmine Lorenzo: You are even sadder
@adizlack93: you’ve made no counterpoint. You’ve just ridiculed his comment. A very clear example of Bleur was given and Humphries statement here goes against every single statement made prior. You can blindly defend the preferential treatment of Leinster if you must, but it’ll be for the longterm detriment of Irish rugby.
@Brian Gallivan: Munster are being screwed by the IRFU!? You’re having a laugh. With your own debt star down there that the IRFU have continually facilitated debt restructuring for and even now with IRFU S&C resources down there bailing you out of the mess you made for yourselves, plus Codling helping out despite the fact that he’s meant to be full time with the womens team coming into their 6Ns. The IRFU have facilitated and bailed Munster out plenty over the years. The chip on the shoulder is ridiculous at this stage.
@Sam Bingham: I couldnt care less Sam. I support Leinster and Ireland. Thats all.
@Brian Gallivan: I think that goes both ways, once players have decided to leave they are less likely to get minutes. That’s why not seeing more of Frawley is worrying me :-)
@John Molloy: you mean the 12 million loan that munster received to build the stadium wheres leinster got 16 million for free this year to develop. Who is receiving special treatment again?
@Brian Gallivan: The irony is your 2 responses in this way are the saddest in an otherwise interesting conversation. It is hard not to see your point of view as the last NIQ Prop signed was by Leinster (excluding jokers) and then the first sign of it being relaxed less thab 12 months later is to resign the same player for Leinster. It is not a good look for the IRFU. BUT… how can DH be accused of a Leinster bias?? I would take it that he is being pragmatic and maybe he has relected and realised that he has to help development first and foremost before inflicting untold damage on the chances of success for ALL 4 provinces. Yes, success is more likely for Leinster right now, but that is for multiple reasons, not just this.
RG signing for Leinster last summer was never going to be one year, the dogs on the street knew that. Silami in the same boat. One rule for one province and another rule for the other 3.
@Liam23: hah you salty little falla
@Liam23: what’s your problem? Leinster are entitled to 3 NIQ players in their squad. All 3 have been good this season. It makes sense to re-sign both. Munster are signing players hand over fist. Nankivell, Kleyn and Abrahams will also all be there next year. The irony is astonishing.
@Liam23: Yep, no NIQs anywhere else. Remember when Leinster had 3 saffer born locks on good money at the same time? Disgrace
@Liam23: One rule for one province and … eh… Dian Bleuler… for everyone else?
@Liam23: what are the different rules exactly? Munster signed and extended Snyman. Now Leinster are. Seems the same to me. Munster have been allowed sign and resign plenty of NIQs over the years.
@Liam23: Liam, remind me again how many years RG was a Munster player?
@Liam23: We won’t hear from Liam because he has been silenced by facts disproving his paper thin argument.
If there is some flexibility for NIQ players, can we keep Bleuler at Munster?
@Colm Tarpey: Agreed, this only makes sense if Bleuler can stay. Flexibility and pragmatism are needed by the IRFU.
@Colm Tarpey: from what I’ve heard it’s more to do with his club wanting him back
@Con Cussed: Sharks would have to agree to that also
@Colm Tarpey: The sharks might have something to say about that given that they employ the player.
@Mark O’Keeffe: Absolutely and no guarantee they would!
@Con Cussed: in fact, the belief is that Munster were allowed to attempt to extend it, but the Sharks refused.
@Robert McGee: this. There’s this weird belief out there that Blueler leaving is somehow the IRFUs fault when anyone who makes an effort to understand what’s going on knows, the Sharks had loaned him to Munster and now want him back. If Munster were able to develop a prop worth a damn in the last decade then this wouldn’t be an issue.
@Colm Tarpey: if you can persuade the Sharks to agree.
Nothing to do with IRFU.
@Colm Tarpey: No, because the Sharks want him back. So there is nothing the IRFU or Munster can do about it. Unless the Sharks are willing for his contract to be bought out.
Talking about Thomas Clarkson coming through and “concerns being eased” in the prop development area but extending Slimani’s deal who keeps Clarkson out of the match-day squad for big games, comical
@Mícheál: Totally but rowing back on the prop thing was always going to be embarrassing. The only good thing is that it’s happened so quickly.
@Mícheál: So are you suggesting that Leinster go into next season with just Furlong and Clarkson as senior tighthead props? A Furlong with a grand total of two appearances for Leinster this season and these days rarely gets into double figures for appearances for Leinster? McGuire is in the academy and there is no confirmation that he is going onto a senior deal, yet. Munster have 4 senior TH props if you need context. Think before you type.
@Mícheál: Clarkson has played in 3 of Leinsters 4 Champions Cup games and 6 of their 10 URC games while also playing in 2 of Irelands 4 AIs leading to him being named in the 6Ns squad where it looks like he’ll be getting game time again. Slimani isn’t impacting his game time in any meaningful way. And he’s also helping to develop his scrummaging.
@Carmine Lorenzo: They could always sign a couple from the Champo like Ulster, no?
@Mícheál: IRFU can easily stipulate that Slimani can’t take minutes from Clarkson, as they have done with RG and McCarthy/Ryan, if it’s felt that is best for Clarkson’s development. No need for outrage
@Carmine Lorenzo: Hi Carmine, that’s a great point that you’re making, potentially the issue is that the recent hype surrounding the production line in Leinster is misguided. They cannot seem to produce players in lots of positions and have to outsource for many options. As you’ve correctly pointed out, they’re struggling to produce props (including LH after Porter with 37 year old Healy still next in line). Their best prop has being Slimani, best lock has been RG, best 9 JGP, best centre Henshaw, and best back 3 player being Lowe – with none of these coming through the academy at Leinster. Have a good one, Carmine.
@Mícheál: And yet Leinster have provided 5 of the 6 props to the original Ireland squad? Think before you type.
@Carmine Lorenzo: maybe that’s why we can’t win a scrum, another good point
Let Munster sign Bleuler for next season. Whether the IRFU wants to admit it or not, Ireland don’t produce an abundance of props. If you want them to be competitive, they need to sign guys that will make that big impact in the front row and also mentor and younger guys coming through. Just telling each province they must develop their own isn’t realistic.
@mcdb06: he’s contracted to the Sharks. They can’t extend his contract because Sharks want him back. Why do so few people seem to know this!? It’s been publicly stated multiple times now.
@John Molloy: That’s why I said next season. It is possible for players to get out of a contract and move.
If they are going to continue to supply 3 full front rows every time there is an international window, there should be some flexibility, yeah.
As per usual the rules get broken to suit Leinster.
The biggest cheaters in the history of rugby.
@Tommy Kennedy: meanwhile Munster with 4 NIQ players on their books
@Tommy Kennedy: Please explain to the class how Leinster are the biggest cheaters in rugby? On a day when it was revealed that Toulouse, got Jaminet, to take out personal loans, to buy his contract out with Perpignan. So they could stay within the Salary cap. I’m looking forward to your factual response here.
@Tommy Kennedy: What rules are been broken Thomas? Ye are some bunch of whingers. We didn’t hear Leinster fans whinging when Munster had half of the South African national team.
Leinster are in a different position to the other provinces they are trying to win the champions cup. Therefore if they can afford to do it they should be entitled to sign whoever they want regarding NIQ players despite IRFU policy on props. Why should Leinster be held back?
Ohhh yeahhh