#MUNvOSP
Three changes from last week’s win over Ulster see Antoine Frisch, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes come into the Munster side
Reuben Morgan-Williams starts at scrum half for Ospreys, with Owen Williams partnering him at out half
#BULvBEN
Sebastian de Klerk starts on the wing for Vodacom Bulls
Malakai Fekitoa returns alongside Ignacio Brex to make up Benetton’s centre pairing
#LEIvULS
James Ryan returns to Leinster’s starting XV for the first time since the R17 loss to Ulster and captains the side
Matty Rea set to make his 100th appearance for Ulster
#GLAvSTO
George Turner set for 100th appearance for Glasgow Warriors if called upon from the bench
Warrick Gelant and Paul de Wet make their return to DHL Stormers match-day squad

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

Munster v Ospreys
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 14th league game)
AR 1: Andrea Piardi (FIR) AR 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Live on: RTÉ, S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Munster: Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Seán O’Brien, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Oli Jager, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray, Tony Butler, Mike Haley

Ospreys: Max Nagy, Luke Morgan, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Huw Sutton, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (CAPT), Morgan Morris
Replacements: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Henry, Victor Sekekete, Morgan Morse, Luke Davies, Luke Scully, Harri Houston

Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth said: “We’ve got ourselves to this window of opportunity and we’re excited about it, but we won’t underestimate how tough the game will be. Like us, Munster have got a tight group, with a lot of quality in it, and that makes them a very dangerous opponent.”

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Vodacom Bulls v Benetton
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 14.30 IRE & UK / 15.30 ITA & SA
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 82nd game)
AR 1: Sam Grove-White (SRU) AR 2: Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Live on: SuperSport, Sky Italia, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Vodacom Bulls: Willie Le Roux, Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (CAPT), Nizaam Carr, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Reinhardt Ludwig, Jannes Kirsten, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Sergeal Petersen

Benetton: Rhyno Smith, Tommaso Menoncello, Malakai Fekitoa, Ignacio Brex, Onisi Ratave, Tomas Albornoz, Andy Uren, Thomas Gallo, Bautista Bernasconi, Simione Ferrari, Edoardo Iachizzi, Federico Ruzza, Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro (CAPT), Toa Halafihi
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosuè Zilocchi, Eli Snyman, Niccolò Cannone, Lorenzo Cannone, Alessandro Garbisi, Jacob Umaga

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White: “Canan injured his hand against the Sharks last weekend and will be going for surgery today. It is one of those where they will only be able to see how serious it is once they open him up. It is his index finger (that is fractured) which influences his passing, on top of his pinkie a few weeks ago which he has strapped before. I am not sure if it will be one of those that you can strap in a couple of weeks and play but he remains unavailable this week and the next. From the Boks point of view, I hope it is not that serious so that he is ready for the Irish series.”

Benetton Head Coach Marco Bortolami said: “The clash between the two forward packs will be decisive and for this reason we have opted to go to the bench with the 6 plus 2. There are also some changes to inject fresh and new energy from the first minute and the other boys will come off the bench to finish the job. Between the backs we chose to move Menoncello as a winger and insert Fekitoa in the centre to add the maximum physicality possible. Furthermore, Malakai gives us a lot of experience having already played matches of this caliber many times; I’m sure he will make a great contribution”

Leinster v Ulster
Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 95th league game)
AR 1: Craig Evans (WRU) AR 2: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Brain MacNeice (IRFU)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe, Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (CAPT), Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Ciarán Frawley

Ulster: Stewart Moore, Mike Lowry, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney, Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring (CAPT), Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Greg Jones, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Ethan McIlroy, Jude Postlethwaite

Glasgow Warriors v DHL Stormers
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 43rd league game)
AR 1: Frank Murphy (IRFU) AR 2: Peter Martin (IRFU)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Tom Jordan, George Horne, Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: George Turner, Nathan McBeth, Oli Kebble, Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Henco Venter, Jamie Dobie, Ross Thompson

DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Dan du Plessis, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben Loader, Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies, Brok Harris, Joseph Dweba, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat (CAPT), Ruben van Heerden, Willie Engelbrecht, Ben-Jason Dixon, Hacjivah Dayimani
Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Sti Sithole, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Marcel Theunissen, Connor Evans, Paul de Wet, Jean-Luc du Plessis

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “The Stormers have a proud record in the BKT URC playoffs, and we know they will be coming to Scotstoun intent on continuing that record tomorrow night. They have some brilliant individuals who have the ability to hurt you from anywhere on the field, in addition to being a physical unit with and without the ball. We’re looking forward to the challenge and we know the Warrior Nation will make themselves known as they get behind us tomorrow night.”

DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said: “We know that it will take a top performance to stay alive in this competition and that is a challenge we have embraced. We will have to do it without a number of our frontline players due to injuries, but it is testament to the depth we have built and the quality of our squad that there is plenty of belief. Despite having almost a full team ruled out, we have built up some good momentum heading into the play-offs. This is our first BKT URC play-off match away from home after playing six at DHL Stadium and we want to show that we can rise to the occasion.”

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In front of a packed stadium, in terrible weather conditions, with strong wind and driving rain, Leinster scored two penalties from Harry Byrne in the first-half,, and one in the second with Munster scoring one from the boot of Jack Crowley in the second-half, meaning Leo Cullen’s side completed a United Rugby Championship double of their Munster rivals.

First-half

The home side came into the game with three wins in their last five matches, while Leinster were unbeaten in the last five.

Leinster dominated the opening 40 minutes, both on the field and on the score board and ending the half with a 6-0 advantage.

Harry Byrne opened the scoring within the first 90 seconds of the starting whistle when Munster were penalised directly in front of their own posts. The Leinster number 10 easily slotted over to give the visitors the early lead.

Byrne doubled his side’s score when Andrew Porter won a penalty in the ruck on 15 minutes.

Munster lose two in front row

Munster were without two of the starting front row players within the opening quarter of the game. Captain Diarmuid Barron lasted only seven minutes of the game, and was replaced by Eoghan Clarke.

In the 19th minute, prop Dave Kilcoyne was replaced by Jeremy Loughman, with the former having previously received treatment on the field for an injury.

In an opening half of difficult playing conditions, the visitors made the most of their efforts, as the hosts made a number of enforced errors.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 0  Leinster Rugby 6

Second-half

Jack Crowley had his first kick at the posts within four minutes of the re-start, but his penalty attempt was missed. The Munster kicked seemed to connect poorly and watched as the ball travelled agonisingly right and wide of the upright.

Munster’s injury woes continued in the 49th minute when the injured second row Edwin Edogbo was replaced by Brian Gleeson.

When Leinster turned the scrum instead of driving straight through, Jack Crowley had his second kick at goal. The Munster number 10 was successful on this occasion, as his kick dissected the posts to cut the Leinster lead in half on 51 minutes.

Deficit halved! Three big points for Munster and they’re back in the contest.

@RTE2 & @RTEplayer https://t.co/VgKAMJ3KiK

Updates https://t.co/5uBoTqxAE1

Radio commentary @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/8LfjhjuFOQ

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 26, 2023

Harry Byrne’s third kick at goal, this time in the 60th minute came off the right upright and went wide – his first miss at the posts all night.

Within four minute the Leinster man had an effort to make amends from 31m out, when his next kick at the posts went left and wide, leaving his side with a 6-3 advantage, with the game in the final quarter.

With both sides emptying their benches in the final 10 minutes, Leinster made sure of their victory with a third Harry Byrne penalty of the game in the dying seconds of the second half.

The visitors leave Thomond Park with a 9-3 victory and complete a double victory over Munster this URC season.

Final score: Munster Rugby 3  Leinster Rugby 9

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Munster Rugby opened the 2023-24 URC Rugby Championship season with a victory over the Sharks at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

A small attendance on the opening weekend of the new season saw a young side, but with some experienced heads among the starting 15, score five tries to the visitors three for a   34-21 success.

First try of new season

Fast hands and enterprising work from Munster saw Shay McCarthy, who started the game due to the last withdrawal of Calvin Nash, made a break before offloading to Shane Daly. A hard tackle on the fullback saw the men in red in quickly to support and keep the momentum going before lock Edwin Edogbo use the advantage of his height to successfully stretch for the line and touch down for Munster’s opening score of the season. A Joey Carbery conversion added the extra two points to give the home side a 7-0 advantage with 22 minutes on the clock.

20 nóim #MUNvSHA@Munsterrugby – 5@SharksRugby – 0

Edwin Edogbo ag trasnú an líne!

“The players trusting the process” a deir Marcus Horan.@IrishRugby @URCOfficial #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/BYZc20UcNY

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 21, 2023

Munster quickly double their lead

The Sharks had little time to settle after conceding their first try of the season when Munster doubled their score. A Carbery break, with an offload to the on-running Alex Kendellen was in turn passed to Diarmaid Marron who was close in support of the Munster right flanker. Barron crashed over for his team’s second try of the evening, and an easy conversion which followed saw Carbery push the scoreboard out to 14-0.

While much of the opening 20 minutes of the game saw most of the play restricted to the midfield area, the final 10 minutes of the opening half saw two tries scored.

26 am nóim #MUNvSHA@Munsterrugby – 12@SharksRugby – 0

Diarmuid Barron leis an dara úd!

Great support play by the Munster men.@IrishRugby @URCOfficial #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/Ka35k2OUrn

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 21, 2023

Bosch pace opens Munster

The Sharks finally got on the scoreboard after 37 minutes when the speedy Curwin Bosch broke through the Munster defence with men in red failing to even attempt a tackle on the fly half.

With Bosch in space he passed wide to Werner Kok with the right wing having a straightforward task in reaching the line. Bosch kicked for the extras and the visitors were now 7-14 behind.

37 nóim #MUNvSHA@Munsterrugby – 14@SharksRugby – 5

Werner Kok le scór iontach do na Sharks.

The Sharks get in for their first try of the evening!@IrishRugby @URCOfficial #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/X9CLnNzvR4

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 21, 2023

Determined Frisch chases down kick

This did not last long, however, as moments before the half-time whistle Munster’s Antoine Frisch kicked ahead and chased down the ball. With uncertainty in the Sharks’ defence, neither Cameron Wright nor Marnus Potgieter managed to control the ball. Frisch, who had determinedly followed up his own kick managed to touch down. Confirmation from the TMO was required before the referee confirmed Munster’s third five-pointer of the first 40 minutes. Joey Carbery kicked the conversion from 35 metres to give his side a 21-7 lead at the break.

40 nóim #MUNvSHA@Munsterrugby – 19@SharksRugby – 7

Bhí orthu dul thuas staighre ach bronnadh an scór!

Antoine Frisch getting the third Munster try right before half-time.@IrishRugby @URCOfficial #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/bDNzwyOBTz

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 21, 2023

Half-time: Munster Rugby 21  Sharks 7

Despite an early Carbery penalty kick early in the second period, Sharks replacement Rohan Janse van Rensburg soon narrowed the de3ficit. The utility back who had replaced Murray Koster on the right wing at the beginning of the second half claimed his side’s second try of the game following a quick throw-in.. With Curwin Bosh again converting, the difference between the teams was down to 10 points; Munster leading 24-14.

47 nóim #MUNvSHA@Munsterrugby – 24@SharksRugby – 12

Botúin déanta ag Na Muimhnigh anseo.

Rohan Janse Van Rensburg capitalising on a Munster mistake.@IrishRugby @URCOfficial#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/PmYzCer2Dl

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 21, 2023

Sheer force of numbers helped Munster to their next try of the game. With the Sharks scrum half Cameron Wright in the bin for a dangerous tackle, the men in red went from left to right of the field, before going the full way back again and finding Andrew Conway with no man to beat for the line. Carbery missed his first kick at goal in the game, which meant Munster were 29-14 ahead.

66 nóim #MUNvSHA@Munsterrugby – 29@SharksRugby – 14

ANDREW CONWAAAAAAAAY!!

Bhí orthu a bheith foighneach!

What a game he is having, great to see him back in the red jersey!@URCOfficial @IrishRugby #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/b9wBUjxyxt

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 21, 2023

A late try from Munster scrum half Ethan Coughlan – which Carbery was unable to convert as his attempt rebounded off the upright – and a try on the 80th minute for the Sharks’ Aphelele Fassi saw the home side run out comfortable 34-21 winners to get their URC season off to a good start.

78 nóim #MUNvSHA@Munsterrugby – 14@SharksRugby – 14

“It’s always great to see a Clare man scoring in Thomond Park”

What a beauty by Ethan Coughlan @IrishRugby @URCOfficial #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/I2OE2Gu8CP

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 21, 2023

Full-time: Munster Rugby 34  Sharks 21

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Munster will play Stormers in Cape Town and will face Sharks in Durban over the next two weekends.

Players and management will arrive in Cape Town on Tuesday afternoon. Preparations will then continue for Saturday’s Round 17 game against the Stormers (5.15pm Irish time/6.15pm local).

The travelling player group consists of 18 forwards and 13 backs, with Munster’s 23-man matchday squad to be named at 12pm on Friday.

Keith Earls, Jeremy Loughman, and Academy players Mark Donnelly, Edwin Edogbo and Jack Oliver have been included in the travelling group after overcoming respective injuries.

Following the Champions Cup Round of 16 game against Sharks and the most recent trip to Durban, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa, John Hodnett, and Paddy Patterson were ruled out and not available to travel.

Hooker Danny Sheahan who was involved for the Ireland U19s in France on Saturday and achieved Six Nations Grand Slam success with the Ireland U20s has been included in the travelling squad.  

Munster Squad

Forwards:
Dave Kilcoyne, Josh Wycherley, Jeremy Loughman, Mark Donnelly, Diarmuid Barron, Scott Buckley, Danny Sheahan, Stephen Archer, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Fineen Wycherley, Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Sullivan Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony.

Backs:
Craig Casey, Conor Murray, Jack Oliver, Joey Carbery, Jack Crowley, Ben Healy, Malakai Fekitoa, Antoine Frisch, Shane Daly, Keith Earls, Calvin Nash, Rory Scannell, Mike Haley.

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Declan Kidney’s squad will head to Musgrave Park to finalise preparations for the 2022-23 campaign.

In honour of Jack Wakefield, a London Irish supporter who passed away in 2005, the clubs will contest for the Jack Wakefield Memorial Trophy.

The trophy is awarded to the winners of every one of London Irish’s challenge matches against an Irish province. September’s meeting against the Red Army will be the 10th in 15 seasons.

The last meeting between the two sides was in a pre-season clash in 2019, with Munster Rugby coming out on top on that occasion.

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The former Munster player is the latest appointment to Head Coach Graham Rowntree’s team ahead of next season.

Coaching Roles

Since retiring from playing rugby, Leamy has worked in a coaching role with several sides across the province over seven years including Young Munster RFC, Rockwell College, Clonmel RFC, Cashel RFC and Garryowen FC.

The Tipperary man also worked at various stages with Munster’s age-grade players and the ‘A’ team before making the move to Leinster where he initially joined as an Elite Player Development Officer in 2019.

He was appointed to his current role of Contact Skills Coach with the Senior Squad at the start of the 2021-22 season and was also named as Assistant Coach for the Ireland U20s Six Nations campaign last year.

Both Mike Prendergast and Andi Kyriacou have previously been confirmed as the respective attack and forwards coaches for Munster Rugby.

The post Denis Leamy joins Munster Rugby coaching team appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Munster back has played 96 times for Ireland scoring 34 international tries, making him Ireland’s second most prolific try scorer of all time behind Brian O’Driscoll.

Though injury ruled the Limerick man out of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations, he featured in all three of Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures in 2021.

Keith made his international debut against Canada in November 2008 and started every game of Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam success. He played at three Rugby World Cups (2011, 2015 and 2019) and is Ireland’s leading all-time try scorer in the global tournament with eight. He toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

Keith, who made his Munster debut against the Ospreys in 2007, is also the provinces second highest try scorer with 62 and he has represented Munster on 192 occasions. He won a Heineken Cup in 2008 and a Celtic League title in 2011.

Commenting on his contract extension, Keith Earls said:

“Really happy to extend my contract with Irish Rugby and Munster until the end of the Rugby World Cup in France. This Ireland squad haven’t shied away from stating their ambition for the World Cup and I want to continue to be a part of that journey. Munster’s squad is developing quality depth with lots of talent coming through the Academy and province’s clubs and schools and the new coaching group will be looking to drive the province on again to the next level.”

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Born and raised in Ha’apai, Tonga, Fekitoa moved to Auckland as a teenager after earning a scholarship at Wesley College. 

He made his All Blacks debut against England as a 22-year-old in 2014. The following year he helped the Highlanders to their first-ever Super Rugby title.

Fekitoa played for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017. He was a member of the New Zealand squad that won the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He scored eight tries in 24 appearances for the All Blacks but now represents his native Tonga.

Fekitoa departed the Highlanders for Toulon in 2017 and spent two seasons in France before joining Wasps.

He recently missed both Heineken Champions Cup games against Munster due to a should injury. He returned to the Wasps side last weekend.

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With Ulster, Leinster and Munster all having home advantage in the second leg, they will travel away on the weekend of 8, 9, 10 April.

Ulster visit Toulouse, Leinster have the short journey to Connacht, while Munster travel to Exeter Chiefs.

In all-French clashes Stade Francais will host Racing 92 while Union Bordeaux-Begles will entertain Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle.

Sale Sharks are at home to Bristol Bears in an all-English match, while French sides Montpellier and Clermont Auverge will host English teams Harlequins and Leicester Tigers respectively.

The second leg games will be played on the weekend of 15, 16, 17 April.

Exact dates and kick-off times will be confirmed in the coming days.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
Round of 16 first leg – 8/9/10 April
Stade Francais v Racing 92
Toulouse v Ulster
Union Bordeaux-Begles v La Rochelle
Connacht v Leinster
Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears
Exeter Chiefs v Munster
Montpellier v Harlequins
Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

Round of 16 second leg – 15/16/17 April
Racing 92 v Stade Francais
Ulster v Toulouse
La Rochelle v Union Bordeaux-Begles
Leinster v Connacht
Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks
Munster v Exeter Chiefs
Harlequins v Montpellier
Leicester Tigers v Clermont Auvergne

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