URC
Leinster Smash Glasgow in Another Win
Leinster have made it 13 wins in a row in the PRO14 this season with another impressive victory
Leinster have continued their winning streak this season with a dominant 55-19 victory over the Glasgow Warriors in the PRO14 at the RDS tonight.
A hat-trick of tries from man of the match second-row Ryan Baird along with another hat-trick for Dave Kearney and brace from James Lowe plus a try for Scott Fardy saw the hosts ease to victory once again.
Leinster made the perfect start going through the phases following a scrum just outside the Glasgow 22 and youngster Ryan Baird barged over the line from close-range. Harry Byrne slotted over the conversion to make it 7-0 with only four minutes on the clock.
Things only got worse for the visitors less than 10 minutes later as they gave the ball away near their own 22, allowing Leinster to bring the ball forward and after a number of phases with a penalty advantage coming Byrne sent a long-pass out to Dave Kearney who touched down in the right corner. Bryne couldn’t provide the extras this time around leaving it at 12-0.
However, the Warriors had the better of the possession over the next few minutes and Leinster were punished on 26 minutes, as the away side broke from the back of scrum before a quick pass off a ruck found Tommy Seymour, who ran a beautiful line to race over the line and touch down. Peter Horne converted to cut the lead down to 12-7.
Leinster came roaring back though and were in for their third try just after the half hour mark as they struck down the blindside with lovely hands from Byrne to Fardy, who sent it to James Lowe who waltzed in for the five-pointer. Byrne found his range from the tee once again to make it 19-7.
With the clock in red the hosts secured the bonus-point try as they went through a couple of phases off the back of a line-out five-metres out from the opposition line with captain Fardy eventually barrelling over. Byrne was off target with the kick meaning it was 24-7 in favour of the home side come the half-time whistle.
Despite Leinster’s dominance in the closing stages it was the Warriors who had the better opening in the second period and Kyle Steyn finished a lovely move down the left wing with some great hands from his teammates in the build-up to put him darting home. Horne couldn’t convert this time around to make it 24-12 with only three minutes gone in the half.
Although that score was cancelled out on 52 minutes as Lowe was trundling down the left wing and despite the defence’s best efforts the No 11 held them off to put the ball down for his second try of the game. Byrne again misplaced his kick to leave it at 29-12.
Five minutes later and they were further ahead as Baird was sent through a gap in the midfield just inside the opposition half and the second-row out paced everyone to touch-down under the posts. Byrne provided the extras this time around to extend the advantage.
With 15 minutes remaining Baird secured a well deserved hat-trick as he broke down the short-side from five-meters out to score the try. Replacement fly-half Ciaran Frawley couldn’t squeeze the kick between the posts from the right-hand touchline meaning it stayed 41-12 heading into the closing stages.
The Warriors managed to score another try as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes as they made the most of a break in open play with a couple of lovely offloads ending up with prop Alex Allen running under the posts. Ruairidh Jackson kicked the conversion.
Leinster weren’t finished in the try department however as they charged forward once again with less than five minutes left and Fardy fed Kearney down the left-wing to jog in for his second five-pointer of the match. Frawley converted this time making it 48-19.
In the final moments Glasgow tried to play the ball inside their own try-line only to send a loose pass into the path of Kearney who pounced to secure a hat-trick of his own. Frawley smashed over the extra two with the last kick of the game to leave the final score at 55-19.
Next up for Conference A’s runaway leaders Leinster is a trip to South Africa to take on the Cheetahs in three weeks time as they look to maintain their winning streak, while Glasgow will head to Wales to play the Ospreys on the same day.
Player Ratings
Starting XV:
Hugo Keenan (7), Dave Kearney (9), Jimmy O’Brien (7), Joe Tomane (8), James Lowe (8), Harry Bryne (8), Luke McGrath (8); Peter Dooley (7), Sean Cronin (7), Michael Bent (7), Ryan Baird (9), Scott Fardy (9), Josh Murphy (7), Will Connors (7), Max Deegan (8)
The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
Buy match tickets here.
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 can confirm that Peter O’Mahony has made the decision to step down as squad captain after over 10 years leading the province.
O’Mahony first captained Munster in a competitive game on September 3, 2011 at the age of 21. It was just his 12th appearance for the province and he led the side for the opening five games of that season.
He took over the Munster captaincy on a permanent basis ahead of the 2013/14 season following the departure of Doug Howlett.
The 2022/23 season was O’Mahony’s 10th year as squad captain and ended with glory in Cape Town as he lifted the URC title with Keith Earls after a thrilling win over the Stormers.
Along with captaining Munster, he has also led Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.
Head Coach Graham Rowntree and the coaching team will select a new squad captain in due course.
Peter O’Mahony said: “Captaining Munster has been a dream come true for me.
“I grew up watching and idolising the Munster team and in particular the people who were leading the team.
“People like Mick Galwey, Jim Williams then on to the likes of ROG and Paul, who I had the privilege of playing with at the start of my career.
“I can remember the day I was asked to be captain like it was yesterday and discussing it with Paul to get his approval.
“From that day to this it’s been an utter privilege and has never been something I’ve taken for granted.
“However, having given a huge amount of thought to it, I think it is the right time to step back from the role to share my experiences and give the same guidance that I received when I took on the role.
“What an unbelievable honour it has been…and will always continue to be.”
Paying tribute to O’Mahony’s over 10 years as captain, Rowntree said: “You couldn’t pick a better leader than Pete and he has been a fantastic captain for this club.
“To lead Munster from such a young age and for so many years speaks volumes of his ability as a player on the pitch and a person off it.
“He commands huge respect and will still be a massive leader within the group. To have someone of Pete’s experience on hand to help us with the succession process is invaluable.
“We have a strong leadership group within the squad and will confirm a new squad captain in due course.”
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s URC round 6 clash against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium (6.30pm, live on TG4).
Our next home game is against Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park on Friday, December 1 (7.35pm). Buy match tickets here.
Following Saturday’s win over Stormers, Peter O’Mahony (shoulder) and Jack O’Donoghue (ankle) will both go for scans on their respective injuries.
Diarmuid Barron has progressed through the return to play protocols and will be available for selection.
Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Joey Carbery (wrist), Patrick Campbell (ankle), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles), Niall Scannell (groin).
On the AIL front, there were nine Munster players in action for their clubs at the weekend.
In Division 1A, Keynan Knox and Fionn Gibbons helped Young Munster to a win over Terenure College at Tom Clifford Park.
Ethan Coughlan and Daniel Okeke were in action for Shannon as they were beaten by Lansdowne in Dublin.
In Division 1B, Jack Oliver and George Hadden lined out for Garryowen as they were beaten by St Mary’s College with Oliver kicking a conversion and a penalty.
Jack O’Sullivan was a try-scorer for UCC with Ben O’Connor also starting as they beat Queen’s University at the Mardyke.
In Division 1B, Evan O’Connell helped UL Bohemian to a 16-12 victory over Ballymena at Annacotty.
Tickets
URC Round 7: Friday, December 1
Munster v Glasgow Warriors, Musgrave Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 9
Munster Rugby v Bayonne, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 8: Tuesday, December 26
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 4: Saturday, January 20
Munster Rugby v Northampton Saints, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
Saturday, February 3
Munster Rugby v Crusaders, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5pm; Buy final tickets here
URC Round 11: Friday, March 1
Munster v Zebre Parma, Musgrave Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30
Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Bayonne At Thomond
Peter O’Mahony Steps Down After Over 10 Years As Munster Captain
