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Team Named | Munster Side To Face Dragons In Cork

November 3, 2023 11:58 am By The Editor

Alex Nankivell makes his first start for Munster at Musgrave Park. Inpho

The Munster side has been named for Saturday’s URC round three clash against Dragons at Musgrave Park (5.15pm).

You can get a Family Pack of four tickets for just €40. Buy match tickets here.

There are seven changes to the side that drew with Benetton in Italy last week.

Summer additions Alex Nankivell and Seán O’Brien make their first starts for Munster with Nankivell at outside centre and O’Brien on the wing.

Academy out-half Tony Butler makes his first competitive start for Munster and is partnered by returning Ireland international Craig Casey in the half-backs.

Three changes to the pack see John Ryan, Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen come into the side with Ryan making his first start since returning from the Chiefs.

Seven Academy players are included as Butler, Kieran Ryan and Edwin Edogbo all start with Mark Donnelly, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson and Ben O’Connor among the replacements.

If he features, O’Connor will make his senior Munster debut after joining the Academy in the summer. He has been lining out for UCC in the AIL this season and was a Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup winner with PBC in March, he also won an U20s All-Ireland title in hurling with Cork last summer.

Returning international Jack Crowley is included among the replacements after rejoining squad training ahead of the game.

Shane Daly starts at full-back with O’Brien and Calvin Nash on either wing.

Rory Scannell and Nankivell pair up in midfield with Casey and Butler in the half-backs.

Kieran Ryan, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Edogbo and Ahern in the engine room.

Captain Jack O’Donoghue, Kendellen and Gavin Coombes complete the side.

Scott Buckley, Mark Donnelly and Stephen Archer provide the front row back-up as Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson complete the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley and Ben O’Connor are the backline replacements.

In injury news, after undergoing a scan on the wrist injury he sustained against Benetton, Joey Carbery will visit a specialist for surgery next week.

Munster: Shane Daly; Seán O’Brien, Alex Nankivell, Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash; Tony Butler, Craig Casey; Kieran Ryan, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Tom Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Ben O’Connor.

Press Pass

Hear from Munster Attack Coach Mike Prendergast and centre Antoine Frisch ahead of the game.

Tickets

URC Round 3: Saturday, November 4

Munster v Dragons RFC, Musgrave Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 5: Saturday, November 18

Munster v DHL Stormers, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

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 Aviron Bayonnais, 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

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Report

Report | Munster Secure Bonus-Point Win Over Dragons

November 4, 2023 8:25 pm By The Editor

Munster got back to winning ways when they outscored Dragons by seven tries to two in this BKT United Rugby Championship at Musgrave Park.

Graham Rowntree’s men were on top throughout against an understrength Dragons side who were missing seven internationals who were in action for Wales against the Barbarians in Cardiff.

Munster were also without most of their World Cup players but Craig Casey started and Jack Crowley came off the bench on a night when former Cork minor and U-20 All-Ireland winning hurler Ben O’Connor made his debut.

Another academy player Tony Butler was superb in his first start at out-half, while Tipperary native Brian Gleeson crossed for his first try for the province.

Munster got on top from the outset and were well on their way to victory when they opened up a 17-0 lead after 23 minutes.

Rory Scannell got over for the opening try after 15 minutes, with Butler converting, and four minutes later Gavin Coombes drove over.

Man of the match Calvin Nash got the first of his two tries but Ryan Woodman pulled back a try to cut the gap to 17-7 at the break.

A patient build-up produced the bonus point try after 48 minutes with Edwin Edogbo making inroads before his equally promising lock partner Tom Ahern stretched to score for the second week in a row. Butler converted to make it 24-7.

Munster pushed on from there with Craig Casey scoring before Gleeson got his first try for Munster.

Nash scored his second try after a grubber from Jack Crowley but the winger limped off after being injured in the process.

Dragons scored in the final play when replacement prop Aki Seiuli got over.

URC Round 3 Round-Up

Calvin Nash was awarded the BKT Player of the Match.

Nash departed with an injury after scoring his second try.

Summer additions Alex Nankivell and Seán O’Brien make their first starts for Munster.

Brian Gleeson scored his first try for the club.

Academy out-half Tony Butler makes his first competitive start for Munster and kicked eight points.

Seven Academy players lined out for Munster tonight with 10 Academy players now featuring over the first three games of the season.

It’s a six day turnaround for Munster as we travel to take on Ulster next Friday.

Munster: Shane Daly (Ben O’Connir, 64); Seán O’Brien, Alex Nankivell, Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash; Tony Butler (Jack Crowley, 67), Craig Casey (Paddy Patterson, 55); Kieran Ryan (Mark Donnelly, 70), Diarmuid Barron (Scott Buckley, 64), John Ryan (Stephen Archer, 70); Edwin Edogbo (Brian Gleeson, 55), Tom Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C) (Ruadhán Quinn, 69), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.