Reds fans were happy at the weekend after the provincial side came back from 15 points down to win comfortably. Johann Van Graam’s side secured the bonus point in Thomond Park with a 34-18 win over DHL Stormers.

It was a happy occasion for the rugby club with South African star RG Snyman pushing through for a try. This was his first score since returning from a 13-month injury.

RG Snyman is playing a different game to the rest of us. pic.twitter.com/muzEdpbNq1

— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) October 2, 2021

Although it was a majorly positive day, the celebrations were marred by an alleged moment. Munster hooker Niall Scannell has made the claim that he was bitten in the leg by a Stormers player.

This bite accusation is also backed up by the Stags’ captain Peter O’Mahony. He told the referee, Andrew Brace about the incident during the match but it could not be confirmed by the video footage.

During the game, Brace told O’Mahony: “I understand your frustrations, but there’s nothing in the footage.

“If there’s anything there, my citing officer will deal with it.”

The Munster Head Coach has said that Scannell will undergo a medical examination for safety reasons. Van Graam also said post-match that the club will look further into Scannell and O’Mahony’s claim.

“Niall reported that to Pete on the pitch, the referee had a look at it, they couldn’t see any evidence of it, but we’ll go through the right channels.”

IRTV: Niall Scannell On His 1st Cap #TeamOfUs https://t.co/gCNzoq4yuC pic.twitter.com/EP7Ou9yKVc

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 12, 2017

Scannell was not seriously injured by the alleged incident and continued to play the match. The hooker also scored a try, driving home from a maul in the 50th minute.

Munster’s performance showed that they will be one of the strongest teams competing in the United Rugby Championship but they still have more areas to improve on before their next game.

They will next play Scarlets at 14:00 on Sunday 10th October in Wales.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Munster and Irish rugby news, click here.

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While last Saturday’s game was relatively comfortable for Johann van Graan’s side, tonight’s fixture was a different matter. In a first half dominated by the Stormers, it took Munster until the cusp of the half-time whistle to score.

The DHL Stormers, one of the new South African sides in the United Rugby Championship, certainly showed they were worth their place in the new dual-hemisphere competition, despite the flattering final score in favour of Munster.

The home side, which saw four changes to the starting line-up from the team that achieved a bonus point win last Saturday, could not cope with the speed and slickness of passing of their visitors, who dominated both territory and possession in the opening half the fixture.

Stormers dominate possession and territory

The DHL Stormers got no more than they deserved when opening the scoring in the 9th minute of the game. The home side had found themselves pinned into their own half by the visitors before Stormers’ fullback Warrick Gelant touched down for a five-pointer. The resultant conversion attempt was missed by Mannie Libbock, who had minutes earlier missed a penalty attempt from the Munster 10m line.

Warrick Gelant dives over for the visitors’ first try – they are in total command at Thomond Park#RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSHA

Watch live – https://t.co/CStwnXwD49

Live updates – https://t.co/1kY1ebXQGP pic.twitter.com/5ELAV8aqyH

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 2, 2021

The South African outfit increased their lead towards the end of the opening quarter of the game. More slick passing from the southern hemisphere side saw winger Leolin Zas run the touchline to easily claim his side’s second try of the game. This time kicker Libbok made no doubt about the conversion; he added the extra two points to move his team into a 12-0 lead.

The aforementioned Libbok soon thought he had scored his own try when it looked as though he had successfully touched down. Though the referee initially gave the score, on review and in consultation with the TMO, the team of officials decided there hadn’t been a clear grounding.

Fullback Gelant kicked a straightforward penalty on the half-hour as the Stormers extended their advantage to 15 points.

Munster finally score

It took until the clock went into red, at the end of the first period for the home side to finally get on the scoresheet. Waterford’s Jack O’Donoghue burrowed over to touch down following a powerful Munster drive to the line. With Craig Casey taking the ball from the maul, O’Donoghue soon found himself in possession, and the Waterford native showed his customary strength as he found enough room to crash over.

Some light at the end of a miserable half for Munster as Jack O’Donoghue gets over.#RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSTO

Watch live – https://t.co/HVc5TlIug2

Live updates – https://t.co/7gqDxMXpNA https://t.co/YKTHY5cgHH pic.twitter.com/4oWDUs5b2F

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 2, 2021

Joey Carbery added the conversion to send his side in at half time eight points behind the Stormers.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 7 DHL Stormers 15

The game began to change when the sin-binning of the Stormers’ lock Salmaan Moerat gave Munster a one-man advantage. Johann van Graan’s side soon made their advantage count of the scoreboard when big South African Jean Kleyn scored the Munstermen’s second try of the night. Another easy conversion for a player of Carbery’s calibre saw the hosts reduce the deficit to just a solitary point, and they still had the extra man.

Scannell and O’Donoghue add tries

Munster were soon over for another try, with Niall Scannell the beneficiary of what was also an entire team drive for the Stormers’ line. The Corkman emerged from the bottom of the pile, having put his side into the lead for the first time in the game.

Niall Scannell touches down for Munster’s third try as the hosts are rampant in the second half#RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSTO

Television Watch live – https://t.co/YsB84BIDQ7

Mobile phone Live updates – https://t.co/Sj9qb0FacJ https://t.co/uf4hHWwiuO pic.twitter.com/N23V9O27K7

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 2, 2021

Despite Carbery’s conversion attempt swinging in late towards the posts, the number 10’s effort went slight wide of the left-hand post, from a difficult starting position on the touchline in front of the East Stand.

Jack O’Donoghue brought up his brace of tries, and the bonus point, when extending his side’s advantage before the 60th minute. Carbery, who had a very mixed night kicking for the posts, this time saw his effort come off the left-hand post, leaving his team 24-15 in front as the final quarter of the game approached.

Jack O’Donoghue notches Munster’s fourth try as they ram home their advantage #RTERugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #MUNvSTO

Television Watch live – https://t.co/YsB84BIDQ7

Mobile phone Live updates – https://t.co/Sj9qb0FacJ https://t.co/uf4hHWwiuO pic.twitter.com/T2yuTu6jRk

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 2, 2021

Replacement Tim Swiel reduced the Munster lead to 6 points when kicking a penalty on 65 minutes for the Stormers when the home side failed to roll away.

The biggest cheer of the night from home crowd came when RG Syman scored Munster’s fifth try. O’Mahony won the lineout cleanly allowing the huge Springbok to bulldoze his way over, leaving many of his fellow countrymen in his wake as they tried in vain to stop the powerhouse.

Ben Healy, who along with Snyman, had come off the bench in the second half, added the extras for what earlier in the game would have seemed a very unlikely victory.

Healy added a 44m penalty kick right before the final whistle, meaning Munster ran out 34-18 winners.

Final score: Munster Rugby 34 DHL Stormers 18

Munster Team:

15. Mike Haley, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Keith Earls, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Shane Daly, 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Craig Casey.

1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. Keynan Knox, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Fineen Wycherley, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Munster Rugby Replacements:

16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. Jeremy Loughman, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Jack O’Sullivan, 21. Rowan Osborne, 22. Ben Healy, 23. Simon Zebo.

DHL Stormers Team:

15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Daniel du Plessis, 11. Leolin Zas, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Stefan Ungerer.

1. Brok Harris, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 3. Neethling Fouche, 4. Adre Smith, 5. Salmaan Moerat, 6. Nama Xaba, 7. Willie Engelbrecht, 8. Evan Roos.

DHL Stormers Replacements:

16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Leon Lyons, 18. Sazi Sandi, 19. Ernst van Rhyn, 20. Marcel Theunissen, 21. Godlen Masimla, 22. Tim Swiel, 23. Rikus Pretorius.

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Munster v Stormers will kick off at 19:35 on Saturday 2nd October in Thomond Park. The match will be shown live on Premier Sports and RTE 2.

This will be the first time the two sides have met in a competitive fixture. Munster’s only defeat in their last six URC matches was a 24-20 home loss to Connacht in the Rainbow Cup. The Irish province’s only loss to South African opposition in the Championship was to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in October 2019.

The Stags won their first game of the new season against the Cell C Sharks with a scoreline of 42-17. The comprehensive victory showcased Johann Van Graan’s provincial team’s strength and energy.

The Stormers have lost their last three URC games and not won outside South Africa since an April 2019 Super Rugby victory over the Rebels.

Last week, the Cape Town club lost 22-18 to Bennetton. The Stormers would have been disappointed to lose to the Italian team and will want to up their game on Saturday.

Vodacom #SuperRugby historic moments:
Jean de Villiers played 105 Vodacom #SuperRugby games for the DHL Stormers between 2004 and 2014, touching down 28 times over the years#TacklingCancer@vodacomrugga pic.twitter.com/sAjxCie1LQ

— Springboks (@Springboks) June 8, 2020

Munster v Stormers Starting Teams

Munster Rugby

Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Keith Earls, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements

Diarmuid  Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Jack O’Sullivan, Rowan Osborne, Ben Healy, Simon Zebo.

DHL Stormers

Warrick Gelant; Sargeal Peterson, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Mannie Libbok, Stefan Ungerer; Brok Harris, Scarra Ntubeni, Neethling Fouche; Andre Smith, Salmaan Moeret; Nama Xaba, Willie Engelbrecht, Evan Roos.

Replacements

Andre- Hugo Venter, Lyon Lyons, Sazi Sandi, Ernst Van Rhyn, Marcel Theunissen, Godlen Masimla, Tim Swiel, Rikus, Pretorius.

@SimonZebo’s return to #URC set the pulses racing against the #CellCSharks! 

Drop a Like if you want to see Zebo make his 100th appearance off the bench against the #DHLStormers this weekend.  @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/uhIVL1DIcP

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) October 1, 2021

Betting

Outright Betting

Munster 1/40

Draw 75/1

DHL Stormers 14/1

Handicap Betting

Munster (-25) 10/11

Draw (-25) 22/1

DHL Stormers (+25) 10/11

Score Prediction

Stormers fans may come to Thomond Park with the hope of causing an upset but is very unlikely. Van Graan has rested some of his players using this game as a chance to decide his strongest side.

Expect this game to end with Munster claiming a bonus point in a ten-plus victory.

“Coach, I got passed 7 minutes!”

RG Snyman to Johann Van Graan just now in the Munster dressing room.

pic.twitter.com/GZACi62pNm

— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) September 25, 2021

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish and international club rugby news, click here.

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The provincial club has announced that John Hodnett has returned to full training this week. The back row is considered to have fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

This serious injury saw Hodnett miss out on over ten months of rugby after sustaining the injury in training last November. The 22-year-old made his debut for the club in February 2020 and now hopes to play again in the upcoming weeks.

Kevin Byrne has also returned to training after missing much of the start to the season. The Irish hooker has also recovered from a leg injury.

Man of the Match and a try on his Guinness PRO14 debut, Academy man John Hodnett! #MUNvKIN #SUAF pic.twitter.com/r9JTWUSTXb

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 14, 2020

Munster has also announced some players that will not be available for selection for the game at the weekend.

The club has confirmed that prop Roman Salanoa will be recovering for a few weeks with a knee injury. Loosehead prop Liam O’Connor will be out with a neck problem but is expected to resume training in the coming days.

Speedy center Chris Farrell will also miss out with an abdomen injury along with second-row Jason Jenkins with a shoulder issue. Both players will continue rehabilitation for injuries in the next few days.

ZEEBS IS BACK

It just had to be him as @Munsterrugby get their first score of the URC. #URC | #MUNSHA pic.twitter.com/yXoLreUkk5

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 25, 2021

Munster will still have a very strong squad going into their championship tie hoping to continue their form after beating Cell C Sharks comfortably. They will play DHL Stormers in Thomond Park at 19:30 on Saturday, 2nd October.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Munster and Irish provincial rugby news, click here.

The post Munster injury update: Hodnett returns to training appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Inside centre Robbie Henshaw will return to the starting lineup after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Returning tour captain Alun Wyn Jones will have a place on the bench just three weeks after dislocating his shoulder against Japan.

Furthermore, Stuart Hogg will wear the captain’s armband on the day when he lines up in the back three alongside Josh Adams and Duhan Van Der Merwe.

Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith, who was called up at the weekend, will start for the side, wearing the number 10 shirt.

Rory Sutherland and Tadhg Furlong will start for the Lions once more with Adam Beard and Jonny Hill at lock forward behind them.

Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan will give a strong Irish feel to the back row with Hamish Watson complimenting them at openside.

Many members of the bench were part of the side that narrowly lost out to South Africa ‘A’ 17-13 on Wednesday night, including Chris Harris and Louis Rees-Zammit.

Kick-off is at 5 pm on Wednesday and Sky Sports will cover the game.

Lions 23 v Stormers

Backs

15. Stuart Hogg

14. Josh Adams

13. Elliot Daly

12. Robbie Henshaw

11. Duhan van der Merwe

10. Marcus Smith

9. Ali Price

Forwards

1. Rory Sutherland

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie

3. Tadhg Furlong

4. Adam Beard

5. Jonny Hill

6. Tadhg Beirne

7. Hamish Watson

8. Jack Conan

Replacements

16. Jamie George

17. Mako Vunipola

18. Zander Fagerson

19. Alun Wyn Jones

20. Sam Simmonds

21. Gareth Davies

22. Chris Harris

23. Louis Rees-Zammit

The post Lions: Henshaw and Alun Wyn Jones In Squad v Stormers appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The two sides lined up against each other on Wednesday night in a one-sided affair that saw Warren Gatland’s touring side run out 54-7 winners in Ellis Park.

SA Rugby and the Lions have agreed to replace the Vodacom Bulls with the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (kick-off 18h00 SAT, 17h00 BST), after the former was ruled out because of COVID-19 infections.

The Lions beat the Cell C Sharks 54-7 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday in the second match of the Castle Lager Lions Series. The tourists had opened their account at the same venue with a 56-14 victory over the Sigma Lions on Saturday.

“The choice of the Cell C Sharks was dictated by the fact that they have been in a bubble, have returned negative tests throughout and were prepared to take on the fixture,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

“No other team in the country could meet those conditions right now – without going into a five-day lockdown. It is not an ideal situation, but COVID-19 has made sure that we do not live in an ideal world.”

The change has meant that the Cell C Sharks’ match against the Sigma Lions in the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday has been cancelled with a decision on the points allocation to be confirmed.

“We’re very grateful to the Sharks for agreeing to play us again this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld,” said Lions managing director Ben Calveley.

“We have further COVID-19 testing scheduled for today and tomorrow. The results of those tests will determine whether we will be able fulfil this fixture, but, as it stands, we are optimistic.

“We remain committed to the Tour in South Africa and determined to rise to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The possibility of the second game against the Sharks going ahead is subject to PCR test results from the squads.

The Lions, who put eight tries past the Sharks in their recent game, will undergo testing today and tomorrow but expect to be able to play at the weekend.

The story of the Lions’ tour to South Africa has been big wins and positive cases so far, with the South African national team having to cancel their second test against Georgia because of cases in both camps.

Their first match ended in a convincing 40-9 win after the Springboks snuck into the lead at the end of a tight first half.

South Africa is currently scheduled to field an ‘A’ side against the Lions on Wednesday, July 14th.

It remains to be seen how strong a team the South Africans will be able to field in that fixture.

The Lions will look to another fixture against the Sharks this weekend and are expected to play against the ‘A’ side, as mentioned above, and the DHL Stormers before playing the first test against the Springboks.

With cases in multiple camps and the test only two weeks away, the thought of a three-game test series between the two sides that would be unaffected by COVID-19 gets less convincing by the day.

To see the Lions’ fixture list for the tour, click here.

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