URC
Munster topple Cardiff. Talking points, highlights & tries.
Munster secured a bonus-point victory over the Cardiff Blues to keep their hopes of finishing first in Conference A alive
Munster sealed another bonus-point defeating the Cardiff Blues 45-21 at the Irish Independent Park on Friday night.
A fantastic six-try win at a sold-out Irish Independent Park!
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 5, 2019
Tries from Chris Farrell, Jean Kleyn, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, Andrew Conway and Sammy Arnold with Tyler Bleyendaal and JJ Hanrahan adding points off the tee! #MUNvCBL #SUAF ? pic.twitter.com/30nk6Qidnh
The win means that the reds remain in second in Conference A three points behind Glasgow and will head into the final games with every chance of finishing top spot.
Both teams started well with the visitors breaking the deadlock after seven minutes as Rey Lee-Lo ran a perfect line before Tomos Williams finished off the move. Gareth Anscombe converted to make it 7-0.
Tomos Williams ???
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) April 5, 2019
What a great try for @cardiff_blues #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/3z2I9W47NI
Munster responded well and five minutes later were rewarded as Tyler Bleyendaal slotted home a penalty to leave it at 7-3.
Chris Farrell put the home side ahead on 18 minutes when he touched down following a brilliant turnover from man of the match Peter O’Mahony. The conversion made it 10-7.
10 minutes on and Munster were in again as Conor Murray set-up Jean Kleyn for the five-pointer. Bleyendaal again converted and they had a 10-point lead.
There was another score in before half-time with Blues’ Aled Summerhill scoring in the corner after some great work from Anscombe and Matthew Morgan. Anscombe kicked the extras once more and it was 17-14 at half-time.
We have a narrow lead after the opening 40 at Irish Independent Park with the sides scoring two tries apiece.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 5, 2019
Chris Farrell and Jean Kleyn touched down for Munster with Tyler Bleyendaal converting both and kicking a penalty. #MUNvCBL pic.twitter.com/PpWV102TOu
Five minutes into the second-half and Cardiff were over for their third try through Lee-Lo after a quick-tap penalty from Williams. Another successful kick from Anscombe made it 21-17 to the away side.
That lead didn’t last too long as substitute CJ Stander ran in the home sides third try of the night and Bleyendaal converted to put three points between the teams once again.
Shortly after the hour mark Murray claimed Munster’s bonus-point, touching down after Dave Kilcoyne was short with his attempt. Bleyendaal was perfect from the tee again to stretch the lead out to 31-21.
Some fine work from Farrell and Mike Haley allowed Andrew Conway to score their fifth try and a fifth conversion from Bleyendaal meant it was 38-21 with 15 minutes left.
Sammy Arnold touched down late on to round off a strong showing from the home side. JJ Hanrahan added the two extra points as it ended 45-21.
Speaking after the game, Munster hooker Kevin O’Byrne emphasised how vital the win was to his side.
“Can’t underestimate how important that win was tonight and especially to get the scores as well,” he said.
The win, their 10th in 11 games, keeps Munster in the hunt for a home semi-final, while Cardiff remain in a scrap for a play-off spot.
Match Highlights:
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
