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Team News | Munster Side To Face Dragons

September 23, 2022 4:02 pm By The Editor

Keith Earls will make his first appearance of the season for Munster on Sunday against the Dragons ©INPHO

The Munster team has been named for the province’s Round 2 BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Dragons in Rodney Parade on Sunday (3pm, live on RTÉ 2, BBC Wales, Premier Sports, Discovery + and URC TV).

There are eight changes to the starting side which faced Cardiff in the opening round last weekend.

Mike Haley comes into the side at fullback for his first competitive appearance of the season as do Keith Earls and Simon Zebo who start on each wing. Malakai Fekitoa moves to outside centre as Dan Goggin comes into the side at inside centre.

Ben Healy continues at out-half while Craig Casey comes in to start at scrum-half.

Up front, Dave Kilcoyne starts at loosehead after making his first appearance of the season from the bench last weekend. Niall Scannell continues at hooker while Stephen Archer comes into the side at tighthead.

Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley remain in the second-row.

There is one change in the back-row as Peter O’Mahony comes in to captain the side. Jack O’Donoghue and Jack O’Sullivan remain from last week.

Greencore Academy lock Edwin Edogbo is named among the replacements and is set for his competitive Munster debut.

Ireland internationals Tadhg Beirne and Joey Carbery are also in line for their first appearances of the season.

Munster: Mike Haley, Keith Earls, Malakai Fekitoa, Dan Goggin, Simon Zebo, Ben Healy, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony (c), Jack O’Sullivan.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Liam O’Connor, Keynan Knox, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Paddy Patterson, Joey Carbery, Liam Coombes.

Press Pass

Hear from forwards coach Andi Kyriacou and scrum-half Paddy Patterson ahead of the game.

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Report

Report | Munster Defeated By Dragons

September 25, 2022 6:26 pm By The Editor

Dragons' JJ Hanrahan and Joey Carbery after the game. INPHO/Bryan Keane

Munster suffered a Round 2 defeat to Dragons RFC in the BKT URC at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Stephen Archer and Ben Healy scored Munster’s tries with Healy adding two conversions and a penalty for the province to lead 17-15 at the interval.

A late Rio Dyer try put the home side back in front and with former Munster-man JJ Hanrahan adding the final points of the game the Welsh side claimed victory.

Munster were on the scoreboard early thanks to a Ben Healy penalty in the opening minutes but an unsettled performance followed allowing Dragons to take advantage and fully impose themselves on the game. A composed performance from the hosts saw them move ahead 15-3 with five penalties from the boot of Hanrahan.

The province did manage to close out the half with a flourish with two converted tries scored in five minutes.

The first score started with a break by Ben Healy, before Simon Zebo was high tackled, and with Craig Casey taking the quick-tap penalty Munster went through the phases before Archer forced his way over to score.

Healy added the extras, and the Dragons were reduced to 14 men with a yellow card issued to Rio Dyer for the challenge on Zebo.

Munster took full advantage when back in the opposition 22 to set up a maul and work their way towards the try line. Craig Casey made a sniping break down the blindside with Healy finishing the try off in the corner.

The out-half converted his own try to send Munster into the half time break with the lead.

While the performance did improve after the break errors remained and the men in red were unable to add to their tally.

As the battle continued into the final quarter the scoreboard was unchanged until winger Rio Dyer broke through to dart his way over and score in the corner on the 71st minute.

Although JJ missed the conversion he sealed the victory with a final penalty in the last play of the game.

URC Round 2 Round-Up

Greencore Academy lock Edwin Edogbo made their Munster debuts.

There was a positional switch before kick-off with Malakai Fekitoa moving to 12 and Dan Goggin to 13.

Keith Earls was removed with an injury while Jean Kleyn was removed for a HIA.

Munster: Mike Haley, Keith Earls (Liam Coombes, 13), Malakai Fekitoa, Dan Goggin, Simon Zebo, Ben Healy (Joey Carbery, 58), Craig Casey (Paddy Patterson, 60); Dave Kilcoyne (Liam O’Connor, 58), Niall Scannell (Scott Buckley, 66), Stephen Archer (Keynan Knox, 58), Jean Kleyn (Tadhg Beirne, 13), Fineen Wycherley (Edwin Edogbo, 58), Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony (c), Jack O’Sullivan.