URC
Ulster name team to face Munster
Ulster ready for match-up against Munster
15 minutes ago
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Meeting for the first time since Ulster’s 36-17 victory over Munster in last season’s URC quarter-final at Kingspan Stadium, the Ulster men are this time on the road to Thomond Park to face their Interpro rivals in Round 7 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday (KO 5 15pm).
With a week of preparation and recovery under their belts, Ulster will be looking to build on a significant win over the Emirates Lions in South Africa with another performance away from home, this week against Graham Rowntree’s side.
Now in the habit of historic wins, with last season seeing Ulster pick-up wins at Stade Marcel-Michelin, the RDS and Stadium de Toulouse, Dan McFarland’s men will be looking to put recent challenges behind them to come home with a win, which would be the first at Thomond Park for the province since 2014.
Sitting second in the table with 21 points, and a postponed game still to play, Ulster currently have the lead on this week’s home team who, after a number of setbacks early in the season, are placed eleventh in the league table.
On this, Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said:
“A team like Munster has certain qualities that don’t go away. They might not have played their best rugby in the first part of the season, but there are strands within their game that make them extremely competitive, and I expect nothing less at the weekend.
“There is a reason they are so strong at home, and we’ll be expecting exactly that. It’s going to be a great challenge to get a win, but that’s a goal of ours.”
John Andrew set to hit 100 caps off the bench
Replacement hooker, John Andrew, will hit the 100 caps milestone for the province if called upon, as new signing, Rory Sutherland, who is also named among the forward replacements looks set to make his debut in the Ulster shirt.
Captain, Alan O’Connor, will once again lead the side alongside Wallaby, Sam Carter, in a second row that remains unchanged from the 37-39 victory in Ellis Park a fortnight ago.
Ulster born and bred, Andy Warwick, is selected at loosehead prop with Marty Moore, who last week received the call-up for next Friday’s Ireland ‘A’ fixture against the All Blacks XV, at tighthead prop, and hooker, Tom Stewart, who returns to more local shores after touring with the victorious Emerging Ireland squad, completing the front row.
22-year-old David McCann and this season’s new recruit, Sean Reffell, will start alongside the experience of Springbok number eight, Duane Vermeulen, to complete the pack.
Nathan Doak, who recently played opposite his childhood hero Ruan Pienaar in the Emerging Ireland victory over the Toyota Cheetahs, is named at scrum half, and partners Billy Burns, who scored one of Ulster’s five tries in the province’s recent fast-paced win in South Africa.
Looking to repeat his Player of the Match performance against Munster in a win that saw Ulster into last season’s URC semi-final will be James Hume, as he makes his return from an injury picked-up on international duty in New Zealand during the summer. Similar to teammate, Marty Moore, he will be involved in next Friday’s Ireland ‘A’ game, and partners up with Luke Marshall, who has been in fine form since making his own comeback from injury.
Saturday’s starting line-up is completed by a youthful back three made up of Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham and Stewart Moore, who come in with an average age of 22.
Alongside John Andrew and Rory Sutherland, forward cover on the bench comes from Gareth Milasinovich, Cormac Izuchukwu, and Jordi Murphy. On the bench for the backs are John Cooney, Angus Curtis, and Craig Gilroy.
Ulster team to play Munster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 7, Saturday 29 October at Thomond Park (KO 5 15pm) live on RTÉ, Premier Sports & URC.tv.
(15-9): Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Luke Marshall, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;
(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Sam Carter, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Gareth Milasinovich, Cormac Izuchukwu, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Angus Curtis, Craig Gilroy.
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
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
