Champions Cup
Edinburgh v Munster: Player Ratings & Highlights.
Munster Snatch Late Win in Edinburgh
A late Keith Earls try ensured that Munster progressed to the Champions Cup semi-finals with a 17-13 win over Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon.
The men in red will now face Saracens in the last four.
Edinburgh started the brighter of the two, going through the phases early and winning three penalties, each time going to the corner. However, Munster held strong to turn the ball over each time.
Ten minutes in and Tadhg Beirne was sent to the bin after preventing the home side from getting quick-ball away as they broke through the Edinburgh defence.
Munster not only managed to keep Edinburgh from scoring over the next 10 minutes but went ahead on 18 minutes when Keith Earls took a quick-tap and go inside the 22 and flew over.
Joey Carbery added the extras to make it 7-0.
On 26 minutes the electric Darcy Graham broke through the Munster defence and within seconds Chris Dean was over for a try. When Jaco Van Der Walt slotted over the additional two, the teams were level again.
A penalty seven minutes on for Edinburgh put them 10-7 up and things only got worse for the visitors as Carbery went off again with what looked like his hamstring injury flaring up once more.
That was the score at half-time as Edinburgh looked the more likely to go on to win.
Munster won a penalty early in the second-half which replacement Tyler Bleyendaal knocking it over to draw things level.
That lasted a mere four minutes as Van Der Walt hit a penalty for the hosts to put them 13-10 ahead with half an hour remaining.
That was how it stayed until the final 10 minutes when Earls got over for his second try of the game.
A swift move from Munster, started by Conor Murray, was finished unbelievably well by Earls, who dived over in the corner. Bleyendaal scored a difficult touch-line kick to make it 17-13 to Munster.
Despite almost four minutes of time after the 80 Edinburgh could not make the vital breakthrough as it stayed 17-13 and Munster progressed.
They will now face Saracens in the Champions Cup Semi Final.
Player Ratings
Edinburgh: Darcy Graham (7), Damien Hoyland (6), James Johnstone (6), Chris Dean (7), Duhan van der Merwe (6), Jaco Van Der Walt (7), Henry Pyrgos (5); Pierre Shoeman (6), Stuart McInally (7), WP Nel (6), Ben Toolis (6), Grant Gilchrist (6), John Barclay (6), Hamish Watson (6), Viliame Mata (7)
Replacements (6)
Munster: Andrew Conway (8), Darren Sweetnam (6), Chris Farrell (6), Rory Scannell (7), Keith Earls (9), Joey Carbery (6), Conor Murray (7); Dave Kilcoyne (7), Niall Scannell (7), John Ryan (7), Jean Kleyn (6), Tadhg Beirne (7), Peter O’Mahony (7), Jack O’Donoghue (6), CJ Stander (7)
Replacements (7)
Munster Rugby and the Crusaders are set to create history in 2024 with a world-first ‘Clash of Champions’ game on Saturday, February 3 (5pm).
The New Zealand franchise secured their seventh successive Super Rugby Pacific championship on Saturday in Waikato defeating Chiefs 25-20 to retain their title. They are the most successful team in the competition’s history having won 14 trophies and are world renowned for their history and record of success and excellence.
Following Munster’s recent URC success in Cape Town, it will be the first time ever the reigning champions of the URC and Super Rugby face off against each other.
Former Munster Head Coach Rob Penney has already been confirmed as the new Crusaders Head Coach from 2024 and their pre-season campaign will see them embark on their first-ever international tour for fixtures against Munster and Bristol Bears.
Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan said: “We are delighted to welcome the Super Rugby champions to Munster, hosting a groundbreaking fixture against the Crusaders.
“We hold a proud and rich history of playing touring sides and I’ve no doubt next February’s game will be a special occasion for all involved.”
Colin Mansbridge, Crusaders CEO, said: “The Crusaders are thrilled to be coming over to Ireland and the UK to face some stiff competition away from home.
“NZ and Australian clubs have been working on the World Club Competition for years, so when an opportunity for Super teams to play Northern Hemisphere counterparts came up, it was just too good to pass up.
“Munster have a history of giving touring sides a pretty hard time, so they present particularly tough competition. There’s also the added connection with our new Head Coach Rob Penney who coached there,” Mansbridge said.
The venue within Munster, and ticket details, will be confirmed in due course. MRSC members will be contacted directly regarding a pre-sale.
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2024 Crusaders Ireland and UK Fixtures
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Munster Rugby v Crusaders, Venue TBC, 5pm;
Friday February 9, 2024
Bristol Bears v Crusaders, Ashton Gate, 7.30pm;
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
The draw for the pool stages of the 2023/24 Champions Cup took place earlier this afternoon in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Leinster Rugby have been drawn in Pool 4, alongside La Rochelle, Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers, DHL Stormers and Sale Sharks.
Leo Cullen’s team will face La Rochelle, Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks in the four pool matches, with two matches at home, and two matches away.
The top-four teams from each pool will advance to the Round of 16, with the fifth-placed teams moving into the EPCR Challange Cup.
All fixture details will be confirmed in due course.
2023/24 weekends
Round 1 – 8/9/10 December 2023
Round 2 – 15/16/17 December 2023
Round 3 – 12/13/14 January 2024
Round 4 – 19/20/21 January 2024
Round of 16 – 5/6/7 April 2024
Quarter-Finals – 12/13/14 April 2024
Semi-Finals – 3/4/5 May 2024
EPCR Challenge Cup Final – Friday 24 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Champions Cup Final – Saturday 25 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Images & Content from Leinster Rugby
Munster will face Bayonne, Exeter Chiefs, Toulon and Northampton Saints in the pool stages of the 2023/24 Champions Cup.
Munster were drawn in Pool 3 which also includes the Glasgow Warriors.
Munster were drawn as a Tier 1 side alongside La Rochelle, Toulouse and Saracens.
The four highest-ranked clubs from each of the pools will qualify for the knockout stage.
Fixture details will be confirmed at a later date.
Draw
Pool 1
Saracens
Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Vodacom Bulls
Bristol Bears
Connacht Rugby
Lyon
Pool 2
Stade Toulousain
Cardiff Rugby
Bath Rugby
Racing 92
Harlequins
Ulster Rugby
Pool 3
Munster Rugby
Aviron Bayonnais
Glasgow Warriors
Exeter Chiefs
RC Toulon
Northampton Saints
Pool 4
Stade Rochelais
Stade Francais Paris
Leicester Tigers
DHL Stormers
Leinster Rugby
Sale Sharks
2023/24 WEEKENDS
Round 1 – 8/9/10 December 2023
Round 2 – 15/16/17 December 2023
Round 3 – 12/13/14 January 2024
Round 4 – 19/20/21 January 2024
Round of 16 – 5/6/7 April 2024
Quarter-finals – 12/13/14 April 2024
Semi-finals – 3/4/5 May 2024
EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 24 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Champions Cup final – Saturday 25 May 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
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