Champions Cup
Powerful Munster see off Gloucester
A 26 point performance from Joey Carbery helped Munster to a bonus point win over Gloucester in Kingsholm Friday
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
An efficient Munster side dispatched Gloucester with ease at Kingsholm on Friday. A 26 point clinic from Joey Carbery saw the hosts fall to a 15-41 defeat.
After a bit of early tension, it was Gloucester that took first points, with Billy Twelvetrees knocking over a penalty after 13 minutes, after a period of sustained pressure. It wasn’t long before Munster responded, with a penalty from Joey Carbery. Carbery added a try not long later, after some heavy carrying from Chris Farrell and CJ Stander.
No need to go round them if you can go thru them!!
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) January 11, 2019
After a few more phases, Stander made a fantastic close in carry with Kleyn and Killer adding a latch on.
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) January 12, 2019
After that phase, Murray hit the ball wide to Farrell, who took out three Gloucester defenders. pic.twitter.com/JvtgRKon77
Munster dominated the hosts all evening. Peter O’Mahony, caused the Gloucester lineout no end of trouble, with Tadhg Beirne doing likewise at the breakdown. The Gloucester back 3 of Tom Hudson, Charlie Sharples and Ollie Thorley had a torrid game under the high ball, Conor Murray’s boxkicking doing untold damage, with Gloucester suffering 7 handling errors in the first half alone.
Huge shock as Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne go about spoiling absolutely everything within their reach.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) January 11, 2019
Munster showed just how physically dominant they were just before half time, 28 phases of meaty carrying off a scrum around halfway led to Rory Scannell barrelling over, converted again by Joey Carbery.
The second half didn’t start exactly to plan for Munster; a fluffed restart from Carbery, and Peter O’Mahony went off with an injury within 5 minutes, a concern for Ireland with less than 3 weeks to the Six Nations.
Gloucester crossed for the first try after 51 minutes. Ollie Thorley went over after a 35 phase Herculean defensive effort from Munster, to bring the score back to 8-20.
Munster hit back immediately however. Keith Earls went over in the corner after CJ Stander smashed Danny Cipriani off a scrum. Andrew Conway thought he had his first try of the game five minutes later, but it was ruled out for a forward pass.
It was the Joey show from then on. Carbery responded to a Gloucester try from Fraser Balmain by sending a gorgeous grubber kick through for Andrew Conway to collect and dot down. He crossed for his second try not long later, intercepting a Ben Morgan pass to run in under the sticks. Unsurprisingly Carbery got man of the match for his efforts. A massive bonus point win, the men from Limerick will be full of confidence for Exeter’s visit to Thomond next week.
Simply stunning JC.. capacity to scan on the run and execute belongs to very few..#Special
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) January 11, 2019
The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
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Jean Kleyn will be unavailable until the New Year due to an eye injury suffered in the Leinster match. He attended for a specialist review last Tuesday and Wednesday and will have further follow-up before Christmas.
Jack Daly (ankle) and Liam Coombes (shoulder) both underwent surgery last week and will begin rehabilitation under the medical department.
There is good news for Patrick Campbell (ankle) as he has returned to team training.
Jack O’Donoghue (ankle) will also return to training this week.
Simon Zebo (knee) will continue to rehabilitate early this week.
The availability of Campbell, O’Donoghue and Zebo will be determined later in the week.
Peter O’Mahony (shoulder) is improving but will remain unavailable for the Bayonne clash.
Continuing to rehab: Jack Daly (ankle), Peter O’Mahony (shoulder), Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Joey Carbery (wrist), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles), Niall Scannell (groin).
There were 11 Munster players in AIL action for their clubs at the weekend.
In Division 1A, Fionn Gibbons, Chris Moore and Keynan Knox helped Young Munster to a win over City of Armagh with Gibbons among the tries.
Ethan Coughlan and Daniel Okeke were in action for Shannon as they were beaten away to Terenure College.
In Division 1B, Jack Oliver, George Hadden and Colm Hogan helped Garryowen beat Blackrock College with Hogan scoring a try on his debut for the club. Oliver also kicked three conversions and two penalties.
Jack O’Sullivan and Ben O’Connor featured for UCC as they were narrowly beaten by Old Wesley.
In Evan O’Connell helped UL Bohemians to a draw against MU Barnhall.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
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
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