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Team News | Munster Side To Face Bath

December 5, 2025 11:18 am By The Editor

Tadhg Beirne leads Munster against Bath on Saturday night. Inpho

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bath at The Rec (8pm, live on Premier Sports).

Munster host Gloucester at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday week in our first Champions Cup home fixture of the campaign. Kick-off is at 5.30pm with limited tickets remaining here.

There are five changes to the side that faced DHL Stormers last week.

Summer arrivals Dan Kelly and JJ Hanrahan come into the backline with Kelly set for his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.

Michael Milne, Jean Kleyn and John Hodnett start in the pack with Kleyn back from international duty with the Springboks.

Michael Ala’alatoa is set for his Munster debut as a replacement after joining until the end of the season from Clermont Auvergne. Fellow replacement Alex Kendellen, who made his return from injury for UCC last week, is set for his first appearance since the URC round one win over Scarlets in September.

Shane Daly, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Thaakir Abrahams start in an unchanged back three with Kelly and Tom Farrell in midfield.

Craig Casey and Hanrahan start in the half-backs.

Milne, Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan pack down in the front row as Kleyn and Tom Ahern start in the engine room. Milne makes his first Champions Cup appearance for Munster.

Captain Tadhg Beirne, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes are in the back row.

Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Ala’alatoa provide the front row back-up with Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn and Kendellen completing the forward cover. Lee Barron, Edogbo and Quinn are in line for their Champions Cup debuts.

Ethan Coughlan and Alex Nankivell are the backline replacements.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Alex Nankivell, Alex Kendellen.

Unavailable for selection this week:

Jack Crowley (ankle) – estimated return to play in one to two weeks.

Calvin Nash (shoulder) – estimated return to play in one to two weeks.

Andrew Smith (knee/hamstring) – estimated return to play in one to two weeks.

Jack O’Donoghue (concussion) – following return-to-play protocols.

Brian Gleeson (elbow) – will return in four weeks.

Oli Jager (head) – targeting a return in January.

Tickets

Saturday, December 13

Champions Cup Round 2: Munster Rugby v Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5.30pm; Remaining tickets here

Saturday, December 27

URC Round 7: Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; SOLD-OUT

Saturday, January 17

Champions Cup Round 4: Munster Rugby v Castres Olympique, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Friday, January 23

URC Round 10: Munster Rugby v Dragons RFC, Virgin Media Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, February 28

URC Round 12: Munster Rugby v Zebre Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, April 25

URC Round 16: Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, May 16

URC Round 18: Munster Rugby v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here

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Munster Lose Out To Bath At The Rec

December 6, 2025 10:00 pm By The Editor

Munster suffered a 40-14 defeat to Bath at The Rec in the opening round of this season’s Investec Champions Cup on Saturday night.

An opening quarter blitz from the hosts proved too much for Munster as the hosts showed their power and clinical edge to take a 35-14 half-time lead.

Munster had plenty of possession and territory in the first five minutes but three dispossessions on Munster’s own lineout ball stemmed momentum and allowed Bath an opportunity to wrestle back control.

With Bath’s first maul attempt the hosts secured a penalty try after Tadhg Beirne illegally brought the setpiece down. The Munster captain also received a yellow card to make matter worse for the visitors.

A fifth Munster lineout went awry which resulted in a scrum for Bath. From this setpiece, Bath brought play close to the Munster line before a pick and go saw Miles Reid crash over. Finn Russell’s conversion ensured a 14-0 lead after just 10 minutes on the clock.

Two minutes later, Bath made it 21-0 when a grubber kick down field saw Henry Arundel collect and dot down.

Bath’s Tom Dunn was next to get on the score sheet with a try from the back of a maul. Russell’s conversion pushed Bath’s lead out to 28-0.

With 22 minutes on the clock, Munster got a much needed try when some passages of good play led to penalty concessions from the host. Eventually, Munster opted for a tap and go 5m out and after a strong carry from Gavin Coombes, Edwin Edogbo powered his way over for a try on his European debut. The try was converted by JJ Hanrahan.

Will Stuart went to the bin after Bath kept conceding penalties. Munster went for the 5m tap and go again severe defence pressure from Bath saw the hosts regain possession and clear their lines.

With the first half coming to a close, Bath went over for their fifth try which was converted by Russell before Munster got their second thanks to a snipe from the base of a ruck by Craig Casey.

Munster made three changes at the break with Michael Ala’alatoa and Lee Barron coming on in the front row while Alex Nankivell replaced Diarmuid Kilgallen on the wing.

Munster got off to a strong start after winning a scrum penalty in midfield which Hanrahan did brilliantly to drill into the corner. From the resulting lineout, however, the ball was stolen and Bath managed to clear their lines.

As it transpired, this was a big chance that was lost for Munster as the score remained the same entering the final 20 minutes.

Despite more opportunities in the Bath 22 Munster couldn’t get that third try and instead Ted Hill got a try for Bath against the run of play to leave the score 40-14 to the hosts.

EPCR Round 1 Roundup

Edwin Edogbo, Lee Barron and Ruadhán Quinn made their Champions Cup debuts.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen (Nankivell 40′), Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (J Wycherley 60′), Diarmuid Barron (L Barron 40′), John Ryan (Ala’alatoa 40′); Edwin Edogbo (Quinn 54′), Tom Ahern; Tadhg Beirne (C), John Hodnett (Kendellen 50′), Gavin Coombes (Wycherley 66′).

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Fineen Wycherley, Ruadhán Quinn, Ethan Coughlan, Alex Nankivell, Alex Kendellen.