Official Newsletter

Team Named | Munster Side For Leinster Clash

December 28, 2018 11:54 am By The Editor

Andrew Conway starts on the wing for Munster.

The Munster side to face Leinster on Saturday evening at a sold-out Thomond Park has been named by Head Coach Johann van Graan (KO 5.15pm).

There are 12 changes to the side beaten by Ulster in Belfast last week as CJ Stander captains the side.

Jean Kleyn keeps his place to make his 50th appearance for the province.

Mike Haley continues at full-back with wingers Andrew Conway and Keith Earls completing the back three.

Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin form the midfield partnership with Conor Murray and Joey Carbery in the half-backs.

Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan start in the front row as Kleyn is joined by Tadhg Beirne in the engine room.

Fineen Wycherley keeps his place in the back row with Chris Cloete and Stander completing the starting XV.

In keeping with previous years, the Round 12 Guinness PRO14 Interprovincial fixture has been nominated as Munster’s official Charity Match.

In supporting this season’s nominated charities, Cliona’s Foundation and Irish Cancer Society, €1 from each match programme sold at Saturday’s clash will be donated to the worthy causes.

During half-time, representatives from both charities will each be presented with a signed Munster jersey on pitch.

Find out all you need to know ahead of the clash here and full event information here.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Fineen Wycherley, Chris Cloete, CJ Stander (C).

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Arno Botha, Alby Mathewson, Tyler Bleyendaal, Darren Sweetnam.

Video | Arno Botha Looks Ahead To Munster v Leinster

Upcoming Home Games on Sale

Champions Cup: Munster v Exeter Chiefs, Saturday Jan 19, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Guinness PRO14: Munster v Southern Kings, Friday Feb 15, Irish Independent Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

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Report

Report | Munster Beat Leinster At Thomond

December 29, 2018 7:24 pm By The Editor

Keith Earls celebrates scoring the second try.

Munster completed the calendar year unbeaten at home thanks to a 26-17 win over Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

Munster led 13-3 at the break after an incident-filled first half that saw Chris Cloete touch down and Joey Carbery kick eight points with three Leinster players shown cards.

Joey Carbery kicked two more penalties after the break before a late Keith Earls intercept try rounded off the win with Tyler Bleyendaal converting.

Tadhg Beirne was awarded Man of the Match in the victory as Munster move back up to second place in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14.

Munster took the lead on 14 minutes after a rolling maul that included a number of the backline players with Cloete touching down.

Carbery made no mistake with the tough conversion and Munster led 7-0.

A high tackle by Cian Healy on Conor Murray moments later saw the prop sin-binned but Leinster dealt with the disadvantage well and were off the mark on 24 minutes thanks to a Johnny Sexton penalty.

Leinster were reduced to 14 again on the half-hour after Tadhg Furlong was shown a yellow card for an illegal clearout on Cloete with the flanker departing injured.

A red card was then shown to James Lowe on 31 minutes as he collided with Andrew Conway as the winger was mid-air collecting a high ball.

Two Carbery penalties gave Munster a 13-3 half-time lead with Leinster down to 13 men for the final 10 minutes of the half.

The visitors were back to 14 for the start of the second half but Carbery added his fourth penalty after 43 minutes to give Munster a 16-3 lead.

James Tracy hit back for Leinster after 48 minutes from a rolling maul with Sexton’s conversion narrowing the Munster lead to six points.

Carbery steadied the ship with his third penalty on 64 minutes after a Leinster offside to restore the two-score advantage.

The victory was wrapped up on 73 minutes as Earls read a Ciarán Frawley pass and stepped in to intercept and race 80 metres up the field to score.

Bleyendaal added the conversion and Munster led 26-10 as the game entered the final seven minutes.

Leinster hit back in the final play as Max Deegan crossed from close range with Frawley landing the conversion to make it 26-17.

Guinness PRO14 Round 12 Round-Up

Jean Kleyn made his 50th Munster appearance in the clash.

Tadhg Beirne was awarded Man of the Match.

Chris Cloete departed with an injury and will be assessed by the medical team.

Munster were unbeaten at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park in 2018.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Dan Goggin (Darren Sweetnam, 64), Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery (Tyler Bleyendaal, 64), Conor Murray (Alby Mathewson, 73); Dave Kilcoyne (Jeremy Loughman, 70), Niall Scannell (Kevin O’Byrne, 75), John Ryan (Stephen Archer, 58); Jean Kleyn (Billy Holland, 64), Tadhg Beirne; Fineen Wycherley, Chris Cloete (inj, Arno Botha, 30), CJ Stander (C).