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Team News | Munster Side To Face Edinburgh In Cork

October 9, 2025 11:59 am By The Editor

Tom Farrell starts on his first appearance of the season.

Tom Farrell starts on his first appearance of the season. Inpho

The Munster team has been named for Friday night’s URC Round 3 clash against Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park (7.45pm).

Over 8,000 tickets have already been snapped up, get the final tickets here.

There are 10 changes to the side that beat Cardiff at Thomond Park last week.

Last season’s Player of the Year Tom Farrell, Calvin Nash, Andrew Smith and Michael Milne all start on their first appearances of the new season.

Captain Diarmuid Barron, Mike Haley, Seán O’Brien, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson and Jack O’Donoghue also come into the side.

Replacement Edwin Edogbo is in line for his first appearance since December 2023 after recovering from injury with John Ryan set for his first appearance of the season.

35 players have been selected in matchday squads over the first three games of the season.

Haley, Nash and Smith start in the back three with O’Brien and Farrell teaming up in midfield. Patterson and Hanrahan start together in the half-backs.

Milne, Barron and Oli Jager pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley starting together in the engine room for the third game in succession.

Jack O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn and Gavin Coombes complete the side.

Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley and Ryan provide the front row back-up with Edogbo and Brian Gleeson completing the forward cover.

Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler and Dan Kelly are the backline replacements.

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron (C), Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Dan Kelly.

Unavailable for selection this week:

Shane Daly (head) – following return-to-play protocols.
Tom Ahern (head) – following return-to-play protocols.
Niall Scannell (hand laceration) – will return in one to two weeks.
Diarmuid Kilgallen (ankle) – will return in one to two weeks.
Craig Casey (thigh) – will return in one to three weeks.
John Hodnett (cheek) – will return in two to three weeks.
Alex Kendellen (ankle) – will return in six to eight weeks.
Conor Bartley (thigh) – will return in six to eight weeks.

Tickets

Friday, October 10

URC Round 3: Munster Rugby v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets

Saturday, October 25

URC Round 5: Munster Rugby v Connacht, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, November 1

Munster Rugby v Argentina XV, Thomond Park, 5pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, November 29

URC Round 6: Munster Rugby v DHL Stormers, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, December 13

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

Saturday, December 27

URC Round 7: Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here

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

Munster - Match Page - Lineups - Preview

Report | Late Wycherley Try Clinches Bonus Point Win

October 10, 2025 10:46 pm By The Editor

Report | Late Wycherley Try Clinches Bonus Point Win

BKT United Rugby Championship, Virgin Media Park, Cork 10/10/2025 Munster vs Edinburgh Munster's Michael Milne celebrates scoring a try with Brian Gleeson Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

A brace of tries from Michael Milne and efforts from Fineen Wycherley and Andrew Smith were enough to secure a bonus-point win for Munster by the narrowest of margins.

Munster got off to a blistering start when Andrew Smith showed great awareness to go for the quick throw after the ball went into touch which found Calvin Nash. The Limerick winger carried and kicked ahead where Smith gave chase. The bounce of the ball went the way of the home side as Smith collected and dotted down in the corner. Hanrahan was wide with the difficult conversion attempt as Munster took an early 0-5 lead.

The Scottish side came roaring back just a few minutes later when a powerful rolling maul couldn’t be stopped as Edinburgh got their first try of the game through Ewan Ashman. Ben Healy’s conversion attempt came off the post as the game went level after just eight minutes played.

Edinburgh went through another dangerous passage of play in the Munster 22 but Clayton McMillan’s side kept their discipline this time around which allowed Fineen Wycherley to get in for a much-needed turnover at the breakdown.

Munster allowed Edinburgh easy possession when they lost the ball on their own lineout throw in the 22. The Scots took the opportunity as a number of close range carries saw Ben Vellacott crash over. Healy converted to give Munster a 5-12 lead.

Edinburgh had another long period of possession in the Munster 22 but some big shots in defence kept the visitors at bay as Munster won a penalty to relieve the pressure.

Munster started to get back into the game as a number of penalty concession from Edinburgh saw the home side make their way up the pitch. From a lineout five metres out, Munster’s maul almost got over but after going through a few phases, Edinburgh saw Glen Young sent to the bin for cynical play.

Munster went to the corner again but this time the ball went forward and a big chance went amiss for the home side.

Moments later, Mike Haley received the ball in the backfield and as he ran the ball back at the visitors, D’Arcy Rae was sent to the bin making contact with Haley’s head.

Munster worked their way back up the pitch and from another 5m lineout, edged close to the line before a few close range carries saw Michael Milne crash over for Munster’s second try. Hanrahan was wide with the conversion as Edinburgh kept a two point lead approaching half-time.

Munster looked primed to get a third try as half-time drew closer but unfortunately for the home side, the ball was lost at a crucial time as Edinburgh cleared to signal the half-time whistle.

It was Edinburgh who got the first try of the second half when a perfectly executed crossfield kick was collected by Darcy Graham with the winger using his pace to get away from the covering Munster defence to score their third try. Healy’s conversion put the Scots 10-19 in front.

A great move off a midfield scrum set Smith on his way and as he was tackled in the Edinburgh 22, Freddy Douglas illegally competed at the ruck which resulted in a swift yellow card from referee Ben Whitehouse. Hanrahan quickly kicked the ball into the corner as Munster looked to get back into the game. Off the lineout, Munster went through a number of close-range phases but Edinburgh won a turnover at the breakdown much to the frustration of the sold-out Virgin Media Park crowd.

Munster did get back into the game approaching the midway point of the second half as Jack O’Donoghue released Dan Kelly who brought down just short of the line. McMillan’s side went through the phases close to the line until Milne crashed over for his second try of the night. Hanrahan’s conversion went wide as Munster faced into a four-point deficit.

With the match entering the final 10 minutes, Munster were in their own half without the ball. Indiscipline from Edinburgh, however, gave Munster a chance and after a number of phases and a yellow card from the visitors, Fineen Wycherley crashed over for Munster’s fourth try. Tony Butler was unsuccessful with the conversion as Munster took a 20-19 lead with six minutes remaining.

It was a nervy final few minutes as Edinburgh creeped their way ever closer to the Munster line but thankfully a turnover was won at a crucial moment as Munster kept their 100% start to the season intact.

URC Round 3 Roundup

Tom Farrell was awarded the BKT Player of the Match.

Edwin Edogbo made his return to competitive action after 22 months out with injury.

Munster have now obtained 14 points out of a possible 15 in the URC so far this season.

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan (Butler 70′), Paddy Patterson (Coughlan 60′); Michael Milne (J Wycherley 61′), Diarmuid Barron (C) (L Barron 53′), Oli Jager (Ryan 24′); Jean Kleyn (Edogbo 55′), Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn (Gleeson 46′), Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Dan Kelly.

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