Munster Rugby v Connacht Rugby Match Programme

v CONNACHT

THOMOND PARK

16 OCT 2021|7.35PM

MUNSTER V CONNACHT | 16.10.21 | THOMOND PARK

1

2 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE

WELCOME BACK

at half time. Congratulations and well done to the

management, coaches and entire squad. No doubt

they will get a huge reception from the Munster

faithful at the break.

It’s back to business on the domestic front and it’s

a busy time for our clubs as they compete in the

All Ireland League and local Munster competitions.

While this is great news, no game can go ahead

without the referee. The IRFU online course for

anyone aged 18-59 who would like to become

an affiliate referee is now open. Check out the

Refereeing section on irishrugby.ie for details.

It’s my pleasure on behalf of Munster Rugby to

welcome everybody to Thomond Park for this

Round 4 game of the United Rugby Championship.

I would like to extend a welcome to Connacht

head coach Andy Friend, his squad of players and

all involved in the team. A special welcome to the

Connacht Branch President Ann Heneghan. Our

congratulations to Ann on her appointment and

best wishes for the season ahead.

All opposition and games in this competition are a

priority for every team. Add an interpro to the mix

and the intensity rises a level or two to say the least.

Munster come into this game on a good run of form

with three wins under their belt and sitting on top

of the table with the maximum 15 points. After

their super away win in Parc y Scarlets last Sunday,

Munster will want to keep up that momentum

and continue where they left off. Connacht on the

other hand will have a different idea on how the

table might look after tonight’s game, so this has

all the makings of another great game and battle in

Thomond Park.

Tonight, we also remember one of Munster’s

favorite sons, Anthony Foley, who sadly passed

away suddenly 5 years ago this weekend. There

have been many things written and said in those

5 years and no words that I say could do Anthony

justice. He was a son, husband, Dad, and brother to

all his family. A Munster man to the core, a family

man through and through. To the rest of us he was

simply just Axel - the man who over many years

brought us all on a wonderful journey throughout

Europe and beyond. Never forgotten and always in

our thoughts.

Our thanks to our main sponsor Bank of Ireland,

our kit supplier adidas and all our sponsors for their

continued and loyal support.

To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible.

Sean McCullough

President, Munster Branch IRFU

Our best wishes to Johann, his coaching team

and all the squad in tonight’s game and in the long

season ahead.

The Munster Women’s team that won the recent

interprovincial series will be in attendance at

tonight’s game and will be presented to the crowd

President: Sean McCullough | Vice President: Ger McNamara | Junior Vice President: Michael Carroll

Hon. Secretary: Muiris Mahon| Hon. Treasurer: Tom Kinirons

Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Ian Flanagan | Head Coach: Johann van Graan | Team Manager: Niall O’Donovan


3

THE ULTIMATE

URC EXPERIENCE

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16 TEAMS,

2 HEMISPHERES,

1 LEAGUE


5

Aisling - Follows home and away

WHEN WE

STAND

TOGETHER

NOTHING IS

IMPOSSIBLE

Ciara Griffin – The Leader Andrew Conway – Wing wizard


NEWSROUND

CHAMPIONS CUP FIXTURES

CONFIRMED

MUNSTER RETURN TO

MUSGRAVE PARK

Damian de Allende in action against

Clermont Auvergne last season

The fixture details for the Pool stages of this

year’s Champions Cup have been confirmed.

Munster start the competition with an away

fixture against Wasps in Coventry on Sunday,

December 12. The following week, Thomond

Park hosts Munster v Castres Olympique on

Saturday. Munster travel to Castres on Friday,

January 14 and Wasps visit Thomond Park in the

final Pool game on Sunday, January 23.

Tickets for Munster’s next four home games,

including the Champions Cup games against

Castres Olympique and Wasps are now on sale.

Sat Dec 18 Munster v Castres Olympique,

Thomond Park 8pm. Buy tickets HERE

Sun Dec 26 Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park,

7.35pm. Buy tickets HERE

Sat Jan 8 Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park,


Sun Jan 23 Munster v Wasps, Thomond Park,


Hospitality packages for all games are available

with full details HERE

ARCHER MOVES TO TOP 4 IN

APPEARANCES

Last Sunday’s win over Scarlets saw Stephen

Archer play his 232nd game for Munster and

he moved up to joint 4th on our all-time list of

appearance holders. The 33-year-old made his

senior debut 12 years ago against Edinburgh

at Murrayfield. Ahead of him lies Donncha

O’Callaghan (268), Billy Holland (247), Ronan

O’Gara (240), and he currently shares 4th

position with Peter Stringer (232). If sprung from

the bench tonight, he moves to 233 appearances.

John Hodnett in action against the Southern

Kings in Musgrave Park February 2020

The Munster Rugby men’s side will return to

Musgrave Park for the first time since February

2020 when they host Benetton Rugby and Cardiff

Rugby in the United Rugby Championship in

2022. The province will close out its regular

home season of the 2021/22 United Rugby

Championship in Musgrave Park when hosting

Benetton Rugby in March and Cardiff Rugby in

April. With only two out of five games at home

in the final rounds of the competition the squad

will be boosted by a timely return to the Cork

venue. Ticket details will be released closer

to the games. For hospitality queries please

contact Craig Power HERE.

Round 14: W/E Mar 26

Munster v Benetton, Musgrave Park

Round 17: W/E April 30

Munster v Cardiff, Musgrave Park

Stephen Archer


7

ROUND 4 PREVIEW

Connacht are the visitors tonight in the first

interprovincial clash of the season. They

will be keen to get back to winning ways

after one win in the opening three games,

which was against the Bulls in Round 2.

Last weekend the Dragons claimed a 22-35

victory at the Sportsground in an exciting

and competitive encounter.

Connacht were 24-20 winners when they

visited Thomond Park in the Rainbow Cup in

May but have not won successive matches

against Munster since 2016 and have never

won consecutive away ties in the fixture.

Munster come into this game on the back

of three wins with maximum points banked.

Last Sunday saw Munster score six tries in

Llanelli, with Jack O’Sullivan, Liam Coombes

(2), Calvin Nash, Jeremy Loughman and

Player of the Match Chris Cloete all touching

down. There was disappointing news

however for RG Snyman as he sustained

a re-rupture of his cruciate ligament in the

game.

The round got underway last night with Ulster

hosting the Emirates Lions and Dragons at

home to the DHL Stormers. Earlier today

Zebre hosted Glasgow Warriors while

Benetton were at home to Ospreys. Leinster

are at home to the Scarlets and Edinburgh

host the Vodacom Bulls. Cardiff play the Cell

C Sharks tonight at Cardiff Arms Park, also

kicking off at 7.35pm.

AFTER ROUND 3

POS TEAM PL W D L PF PA DIFF TF TA TB LB PTS

1 MUNSTER 3 3 0 0 119 48 71 17 6 3 0 15

2 ULSTER 3 3 0 0 99 40 59 16 4 3 0 15

3 LEINSTER 3 3 0 0 81 16 65 12 2 2 0 14

4 GLASGOW WARRIORS 3 2 0 1 77 68 9 11 7 1 1 10

5 OSPREYS 3 2 0 1 58 64 -6 5 5 1 0 9

6 EDINBURGH 3 1 1 1 73 70 3 10 10 2 1 9

7 BENETTON 3 2 0 1 58 73 -15 7 11 0 0 8

8 DRAGONS 3 1 0 2 64 56 8 5 7 1 2 7

9 SCARLETS 3 1 0 2 71 82 -11 10 11 2 1 7

10 CARDIFF 3 1 0 2 66 68 -2 8 4 1 1 6

11 EMIRATES LIONS 3 1 0 2 60 75 -15 6 9 1 1 6

12 CONNACHT 3 1 0 2 77 75 2 11 10 1 0 5

13 CELL C SHARKS 3 1 0 2 68 90 -22 7 13 0 0 4

14 VODACOM BULLS 3 1 0 2 39 84 -45 4 12 0 0 4

15 DHL STORMERS 3 0 1 2 56 76 -20 7 10 0 1 3

16 ZEBRE 3 0 0 3 36 117 -81 4 19 0 0 0


Chris Cloete, Man of the Match

against Scarlets last week

COMPARISON MUNSTER CONNACHT

Last 3 URC results 25 Sep - Sharks (H) W 42-17 24 Sep - Cardiff Rugby (A) L 21-33

2 Oct - Stormers (H) W 34-18 1 Oct - Bulls (H) W 34-7

10 Oct - Scarlets (A) W 43-13 9 Oct - Dragons (H) L 22-35

URC 2021/22 Shield IR: 1st - W3 D0 L0 - 15pts Shield IR: 4th - W1 D0 L2 - 5pts

URC form WWW (15pts) LWL (5pts)

Top try scorer

2 - Chris Cloete, Gavin Coombes,

Liam Coombes, Jack O'Donoghue,

Simon Zebo

Top points scorer 21 – Ben Healy 32 – Jack Carty

HEAD TO HEAD

Munster wins Connacht wins

32 6 1

MATCH FACTS

2 - Mack Hansen, Tom Daly, Kieran

Marmion

Draw

• Munster have won their last five United

Rugby Championship clashes since their

20-24 defeat at home to today’s opponents,

Connacht, in the Rainbow Cup in May.

• Since the start of 2020 Munster’s record

against fellow Irish provinces is won 5,

lost 7.

• Connacht have won five times away from

home in 2021, beating Leinster in January,

Dragons and Benetton in February, Ulster

in April, and Munster in May.

• Connacht have not won successive

matches against Munster since 2016 whilst

they have never beaten Munster on their

own soil in consecutive matches.


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Supporting the Red Army

On & Off the Field

Official Medical & Sports Injury

Partner to Munster Rugby

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Official Travel Partner of

Munster Rugby

Castres v Munster

One Night Package 14-15 January

Return flights ex Shannon to Toulouse

Airport and match transfers

One night B&B accommodation in Castres

€435pps (all taxes included)

Match ticket: Available to purchase at face value (€40)

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11

THE

INSIDE

TRACK

JP FERREIRA

On the win over Scarlets last weekend…

“We had a great week leading up to that weekend.

The boys - the whole squad - during the week

were excellent with one another. The build-up

was great and obviously the finish was even

better. We had a great week prior to Scarlets

match and a good finish to the week with the

win. I think people forget what warm up games

do for confidence, especially going to Exeter

with the group of lads that went to the Scarlets.

We had a great performance out in Exeter and

the confidence coming out of that game carried

into the Scarlets game was very good. The boys

took it through to the Scarlets match, and I'm

really happy for that group of men.””

On the challenge from Connacht tonight…

“Connacht will always be ready to fire at

Thomond Park. It’s an interpro and they are a

good side. What happened in the Rainbow Cup

last season, was last season. It's a new game

now. We've focused on ourselves since the

start of this season - it's all about us. We need

to have a good performance if we want to get to

where we want to go in this competition. They’ll

be good to go, raring to go. Thomond Park is a

special place to play, especially with the crowd

coming back, and the boys will be up for it no

matter what so it's going to be a great game.”

On squad depth…

“That's where we are going to with this group,

that’s what we are striving for. Whoever puts

on that jersey at the weekend - whether you

are an Irish international, or it’s your first cap -

whoever puts on that jersey, he's prepared and

well prepared and he will make a difference.

That's what we saw last week. It's all about the

group, it's all about giving them game time.

There will be some changes again this week,

but it does nothing to affect the continuity that

we have. We as coaches have set out a plan

for this five-week game block and have had a

good chat around the dynamics in the squad,

how we want to keep guys fresh and who needs

game time. Yes, this is an interpro game, and

interpros are nice and fiery, but we'll do the best

work for the squad.”


JEAN KLEYN

On Munster’s positive start to the season…

“I don’t think there is such thing as a perfect

start, but I’d say we've done as well as you

could have hoped for. I think every season you

set out to be the best you can be, and I think this

year we have started really well. We've really

caught our stride if I could put it that way.”

good season last year, and so far, a reasonably

good start to this season. I just want to continue

playing good rugby. When you play good rugby,

everything is easier.”

On RJ Snyman’s injury…

“You can't really put an exact timeline on these

things, but to be honest he's probably one of the

most mentally tough guys I’ve ever met. He's

had a horrific last 12 months and then to top it

off he plays 30-40 minutes of rugby and then

get injured again. The resilience he’s showing

just from a mental standpoint is astounding.

He's still very positive and he's in a very good

mindset. Obviously, he’s in a dark place, but

who wouldn't be. He will have to take it day

by day. As he progresses, we'll see how

long it will take. We are all hoping to see

him back in red as soon as possible.

Despite not having played a whole lot of

rugby, I think he has contributed to the

team in a really big way, from a rugby

standpoint in terms of knowledge, and a

cultural standpoint in terms of his actual

contribution to the squad and how we

interact with each other. It has been

refreshing and really good.”

On how his own game has

developed…

“I’d say I have probably developed a

fair bit in terms of distribution and

other stuff. I would be a lot more

confident throwing the odd pass out

the back line every now and again. I

think both in defense and attack, the

coaches have been really good for our

games in terms of really putting the extra work

in with us. When sessions are done, doing

the one-on-one stuff with us that helps you

to improve your own game and through that,

overall team performance improves. I think

I'm getting along fairly well. I had a reasonably


13

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MUNSTER WOMEN HONOURED IN THOMOND PARK

Tonight in Thomond Park, Munster Rugby will be honouring the Munster Senior Women’s

side, who won the 2021 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

In celebrating their Championship-winning

success, the squad will be presented to the

Thomond Park supporters during half-time

and will be hosted in hospitality before the

game in association with the team’s principal

partners, Bank of Ireland.

Clodagh O'Halloran

celebrates her try

against Connacht

The Sarah Quin captained side won the

championship for the first time since 2017

after securing wins against Ulster, Connacht

and Leinster.

The Round 3 clash with Leinster in

Donnybrook was a winner-take-all situation

with Munster clawing back a 7-0 deficit to

emerge 7-19 winners thanks to a brace of

tries from Vodafone Player of the Match

Chloe Pearse and one try from Deirbhile Nic a

Bhaird.

That 19-7 victory followed a 50-5 win over

Ulster in Round 1 and a 31-7 win over

Connacht at Musgrave Park in Round 2.

Throughout the championship, head coach

Matt Brown handed 12 players their senior

Munster debuts which is illustrative of the

female player pathway which is in place in the

province.

MUNSTER V CONNACHT | 16.10.21 | THOMOND PARK 15

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REMEMBERING FRANCES

In June this year, we lost a beloved former staff member,

Frances Bowen, following illness.

Frances joined the province in 2005 working across administration

and payroll operations for over 15 years, completing her time of

stellar service at the beginning of this year.

A true professional, Frances was a highly regarded member

of the finance department and organisation, known for her

thoroughness and sociable nature. With an interest in all sports

her passion lay with Munster Rugby, Cork GAA, and Bishopstown

GAA, and Mondays were always well spent in dissecting the

weekend’s action.

Frances is fondly remembered by all at Munster Rugby. We

extend our deepest sympathies to husband John, children

Kieran and Laura, daughter-in-law Kim, granddaughter Kayleigh

and the extended Bowen family.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

AXEL

FONDLY

REMEMBERED

ON HIS 5TH

ANNIVERSARY

16th October 2016


19

THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM

DHL Express Ireland is proud to start the 2021-2022

season as the Official Logistics Partner of Munster Rugby.

Together we celebrate the passion and teamwork required

for delivering excellence on and off the pitch, and we look

forward to supporting the club as the TEAM behind the TEAM.


VIRTUAL MUNSTER MASCOTS

CONAL PLATT

HARRY GUNNIP

Age: 9

School: Lisnagry National School,

Castleconnell, Limerick

Hobbies: Rugby and hockey

Favourite player: Ben Healy

SSW Munster Rugby Halfpage.pdf 1 17/09/2021 11:15

Age: 8

School: Faithlegg National School, Co.

Waterford

Hobbies: Golf, soccer, hurling, Gaelic football,

and hopes to start rugby as soon as his

treatment for Lymphoma in Crumlin is finished.

Hanging out with twin brother Danny

Favourite player: Jack O'Donoghue - fellow

Waterford Warrior!

WITH ED & VALERIE


21

MUNSTER RUGBY

Lock

22.02.00

H: 2.06m

W: 116.82kg

Hons: Ire U20

THOMAS AHERN

STEPHEN ARCHER

Prop

29.01.88

H:1.88m

W: 118.18kg

Hons: Ire (2 caps)

Hooker

06.08.98

H: 1.93 m

W: 98.18 kg

Hons: Ire U20

DIARMUID BARRON

TADHG BEIRNE

Lock / Back Row

08.01.92

H: 1.98 m

W: 113.18 kg

Hons: Ire (22 caps)

JOEY CARBERY

Flyhalf

01.11.95

H: 1.93m

W: 85.91kg

Hons: Ire (24 caps)

Scrum Half

19.04.99

H: 1.65 m

W: 75.91 kg

Hons: Ire (3 caps)

CRAIG CASEY

Back Row

15.02.91

H: 1.75 m

W: 105.91 kg

Hons: ~

CHRIS CLOETE

ANDREW CONWAY

Full Back/Wing

11.07.91

H: 1.8 m

W: 90 kg

Hons: Ire (25 caps)

Back Row/Lock

11.12.97

H: 1.98 m

W: 110 kg

Hons: Ire (2 caps)

GAVIN COOMBES

Wing

01.05.97

H: 1.91m

W: 89.09kg

Hons: Ire U20

LIAM COOMBES

Scrum Half

06.12.92

H: 1.73 m

W: 83.18 kg

Hons: Ire Clubs

NEIL CRONIN

Fly Half

13.01.00

H: 1.85 m

W: 89.09 kg

Hons: Ire U20

JACK CROWLEY

Back Row

12.08.98

H: 1.83 m

W: 106.82 kg

Hons: Ire U20

JACK DALY

Centre

19.12.96

H: 1.91 m

W: 91.82 kg

Hons: Ire (2 caps)

SHANE DALY

DAMIAN DE ALLENDE

Centre

25.11.91

H: 1.91 m

W: 105 kg

Hons: SA (53 caps)

KEITH EARLS

Universal Back

02.10.87

H: 1.78 m

W: 86.82 kg

Hons: Ire (93 caps)

CHRIS FARRELL

Centre

16.03.93

H: 1.91 m

W: 110 kg

Hons: Ire (15 caps)

Fly Half

07.06.99

H: 1.83m

W: 89.09kg

Hons: Ire U20

JAKE FLANNERY

Prop

22.11.98

H: 1.85 m

W: 120.91 kg

Hons: Ire U20

JAMES FRENCH

Universal Back

14.08.99

H:1.88m

W: 99.09 kg

Hons: Ire U20

SEAN FRENCH

Full Back

26.10.96

H: 1.85 m

W: 95.91 kg

Hons: Eng U20

MATT GALLAGHER

DAN GOGGIN

Centre

10.12.94

H: 1.88 m

W: 86.82 kg

Hons: Ire U20, 7s

Full Back

28.06.94

H: 1.91 m

W: 93.18 kg

Hons: Ire (1 cap)

MIKE HALEY

Fly Half

29.06.99

H:1.91 m

W: 96.82 kg

Hons: Ire U20

BEN HEALY


SQUAD 2021/22

Back Row

10.01.99

H: 1.83 m

W: 105kg

Hons: Ire U20

JOHN HODNETT

Lock

02.12.95

H: 2.03 m

W: 124.09kg

Hons: SA (1 cap)

JASON JENKINS

DAVE KILCOYNE

Prop

14.12.88

H: 1.83 m

W: 110.91 kg

Hons: Ire (45 caps)

JEAN KLEYN

Lock

26.08.93

H: 2.03m

W: 120.91 kg

Hons: Ire (5 caps)

Prop

06.04.99

H: 1.85 m

W: 115 kg

Hons: ~

KEYNAN KNOX

Prop

22.07.95

H: 1.85 m

W: 118.18 kg

Hons: ~

JEREMY LOUGHMAN

LIAM O'CONNOR

KEVIN O'BYRNE

CALVIN NASH

CONOR MURRAY

DECLAN MOORE

ALEX MCHENRY

Centre

07.10.97

H: 1.88 m

W: 95 kg

Hons: Ire U20, 7s

Hooker

20.04.89

H: 1.84 m

W: 112 kg

Hons: ~

Scrum Half

20.04.89

H: 1.88 m

W: 93.18 kg

Hons: Ire (89 caps)

Wing

08.08.97

H: 1.78 m

W: 90 kg

Hons: Ire U20

Hooker

16.04.91

H:1.8m

W: 105 kg

Hons: ~

Prop

13.07.95

H: 1.78 m

W: 110 kg

Hons: Ire U20

JACK O'DONOGHUE

Back Row

08.02.94

H: 1.91 m

W: 109.09 kg

Hons: Ire (2 caps)

PETER O'MAHONY

Back Row

17.09.89

H: 1.91 m

W: 106.82 kg

Hons: Ire (76 caps)

Back Row

01.10.98

H: 1.88 m

W: 100 kg

Hons: Ire U20

JACK O'SULLIVAN

Scrum Half

03.11.96

H: 1.7m

W: 78.18kg

Hons: Ire Sch

ROWAN OSBORNE

JOHN RYAN

Prop

02.08.88

H: 1.83 m

W: 120 kg

Hons: Ire (24 caps)

Prop

28.10.97

H: 1.83 m

W: 123.18 kg

Hons: USA U20

ROMAN SALANOA

NIALL SCANNELL

Hooker

08.04.92

H: 1.85 m

W: 110.91 kg

Hons: Ire (20 caps)

RORY SCANNELL

Centre

22.12.93

H: 1.78 m

W: 95.91 kg

Hons: Ire (3 caps)

RG SNYMAN

Lock

29.01.95

H: 1.2.06 m

W: 116.82 kg

Hons: SA (23 caps)

Lock/Back Row

11.12.97

H: 1.93 m

W: 111.82 kg

Hons: Ire (1 cap)

FINEEN WYCHERLEY

Prop

22.07.99

H: 1.83 m

W: 108.18 kg

Hons: Ire U20

JOSH WYCHERLEY

SIMON ZEBO

Wing

16.03.90

H: 1.88 m

W: 99.09 kg

Hons: Ire (35 caps)


23

MUNSTER RUGBY

STARTING XV

Dave Kilcoyne Niall Scannell John Ryan Jean Kleyn Tadhg Beirne

Peter

O'Mahony (C)

Chris Cloete

Gavin

Coombes

Craig Casey

Joey Carbery

Simon Zebo

Rory Scannell

Keith Earls

Andrew

Conway

Mike Haley

#MUNvCON

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Replacements

16. Diarmuid Barron 17. Jeremy Loughman 18. Stephen Archer 19. Fineen Wycherley

20. Jack O'Donoghue 21. Neil Cronin 22. Jake Flannery 23. Dan Goggin


CONNACHT RUGBY

STARTING XV

Matthew Burke

Dave Heffernan

Finlay Bealham

Niall Murray

Ultan Dillane

Cian Prendergast

Conor Oliver

Paul Boyle

Caolin Blade

Jack Carty (C)

Mack Hansen

Bundee Aki

Sammy Arnold

John Porch

Tiernan

O’Halloran

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

AR1: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

AR2: Paul Haycock (IRFU)

TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Replacements

16. Shane Delahunt 17. Greg McGrath 18. Jack Aungier 19. Eoghan Masterson

20. Abraham Papali’i 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Jarrad Butler 23. Tom Daly


25

THE SPIRIT OF

UNITED RUGBY

CHAMPIONSHIP.

Enjoy responsibly

DISCOVER THE SPIRIT WITHIN |

#SAVOURTHEMOMENT


THE LOWDOWN

THE SQUAD

Connacht have added a number of players to

their ranks in the off-season, including Irishqualified

winger Mack Hansen who joined from

the Brumbies. He scored an impressive try on his

Sportsground debut against the Bulls and was

on the scoresheet once again last weekend with

a try against the Dragons. Tongan international

lock Leva Fifita joined from Grenoble, where

he made 65 appearances. The versatile South

African Shayne Bolton is Irish-qualified and

can play anywhere in the back three. Prop Greg

McGrath made the move from Leinster where

he made three senior appearances. Former

Ireland U20 prop Sam Illo signed his first

professional contract with the province, having

represented Leinster at underage level. Oran

McNulty, Cian Prendergast and Dylan Tierney-

Martin were all promoted from the Academy.

Last week Connacht announced the signing of

Samoan international loosehead prop Tietie

Tuimauga. The 28-year-old joins from New

Zealand side Manawatu and earned two caps

with the Samoan national team during the

summer, featuring against the Maori All Blacks

and Tonga.

THE FORM GUIDE

Connacht opened their season with an away trip

to Cardiff Blues, losing out 33-21, despite two

tries from Kieran Marmion and eleven points

from the boot of Jack Carty. In Round 2, they

hosted the Vodacom Bulls at the Sportsground,

scoring five tries in their 34-7 win, including a

brace from Tom Daly. Last weekend, Connacht

went down 22-35 to the Dragons at the

Sportsground in a hard-fought game against a

resurgent Dragons side. Jack Carty kicked four

penalties with Hansen and Conor Fitzgerald

touching down for the home side.

THE COACHING TICKET

Head coach Andy Friend joined the province

in 2018. The Australian had previous stints

with the Waratahs and the Brumbies. He joined

Harlequins in 2005 as head coach where

he spent three seasons, and subsequently

returned to the Brumbies as head coach where

he remained until 2011. Friend also worked as

a head coach in Japan for four seasons. On the

international stage, he worked as part of Eddie

Jones’ Wallabies coaching team and guided the

Australian U21 team to the final of the World

Championships in 2005. Prior to making the

move to Galway, Friend was head coach of the

Australian Sevens team. Former Stade Français

and Grenoble coach Dewal Senekal joined the

province ahead of the new season as forwards

coach. Peter Wilkins, who joined Connacht in

2017 from Edinburgh Rugby, is the senior coach.

Colm Tucker has been working with Connacht

since 2015 and joined the coaching set up as

the defence coach ahead of this season. Former

Munster and Wasps player Mossy Lawler is the

assistant attack and skills coach.

MACK HANSEN

Age: 23

Born: Canberra, Australia

Position: Full Back/Wing

Tries: 3

Appearances: 3

Height: 188cm

Weight: 89kg

Honours:

Australia U20

Andy Friend

ONE TO WATCH


27

MUNSTER RISING

MUNSTER RISING

MUNSTER RISING

OFFICIAL MEDIA

PARTNER OF

MUNSTER RUGBY

OFFICIAL MEDIA

PARTNER OF

MUNSTER RUGBY

OFFICIAL MEDIA

PARTNER OF



29

RUGBY DEVELOPMENT NEWS

CCRO PROGRAMME COMMENCES IN DINGLE PENINSULA

New Munster Rugby Club & Community Rugby

Officer (CCRO) for Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne,

Eanna Conchuir, started a rugby programme

in Ballyferriter National School at the end of

September with 4th, 5th and 6th class students

learning new evasion and catch/pass skills.

The students also played a variety of modified

and conditioned non-contact rugby games.

The programme enables students to try these

skills out during class time and experience a

game many may not have tried before. This

will also take place in other schools in the

Dingle Peninsula so that children will have the

opportunity to experience playing rugby, often

for the first time.

Children who enjoy the sport and wish to

continue playing will be encouraged to reach

out to Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne. For more

information on playing with Rugbaí Chorcha

Dhuibhne, CLICK HERE.

Thosnaigh fear Chorca Dhuibhne a phost nua

mar CCRO Rugbaí Chúige Mumhan inniu i

mbunscoil Baile an Fheirtéaraigh. D’oibrigh sé

me ranganna 4, 5 agus 6 ag múine scileanna

bunúsacha dóibh agus ag imirt roinnt cluichí

feabhsúchán leo. Cabhraíonn sé seo leis na

leanaí feabhas a chur ar a scileanna i rith am

scoile agus taithí a fháil ar an gcluiche, ná raibh

imeartha ag formhór acu roimhe seo. Beidh

Éanna ag tabhairt cúirt ar na scoileanna ar fad

timpeall ar Chorca Dhuibhne i rith na bliana.

Ballyferriter National School pupils take

part in a rugby skills session


COACHING WORKSHOPS CONTINUE ACROSS THE PROVINCE

Emmett O'Callaghan at the coaching

workshop in Musgrave Park

Coaching workshops run by the Rugby

Development department continue to take

place throughout the province.

A Women’s Rugby Preseason Coaching

Workshop took place at Musgrave Park on

September 26 with Women’s Development

Officers Willie Schubert and Ken Imbusch,

Rugby Development Officer Eugene McCarthy,

Participation Co-Ordinator Ray Gadsden,

Technical Skills Development Coach Mike

Pettman and Club Community Rugby Officer

Emmett O’Callaghan facilitating the two-hour

event. A wide range of topics were covered

throughout the session including scrum,

lineout, tackle technique, breakdown skills

and catch-pass. Seventeen coaches from

throughout the province attended while players

from the Munster U18 Women’s squad and the

Clonakilty U18 Women’s squad took part on the

day. Further workshops will take place over the

coming months on a regional basis.

On Saturday September 25, a Minis Coaching

Workshop took place at the RSC in Waterford

in collaboration with Waterford Sports

Partnership. Twenty-three volunteer coaches

from the four rugby clubs in Waterford attended

the workshop which was facilitated by Women’s

Development Officers Ken Imbusch and

Willie Schubert and Club Community Rugby

Officer Jack Jacob. The workshop focused

on fun games, small-sided games and skill

development incorporating the ABC’s (Agility,

Balance, Coordination and Speed).

Further workshops in Waterford are planned for

the coming season.

Action from the Minis coaching course

at the RSC in Waterford


31


GETTING TO KNOW

Declan Moore

Hooker Declan Moore joined Munster at the start of the season on a one-year contract.

The 25-year-old is Irish qualified and formerly played with the Melbourne Rebels.

Born in New Zealand, Declan grew up in Sydney, coming through the club system before

putting in eye-catching performances with Sydney University.

ON HIS RUGBY PATHWAY…

“I started playing rugby when I was two or

three years old, playing for the South Coogee

Red Devils with my older brothers. I went to

a non-traditional rugby school in Australia,

so I went through the club system from a

young age. I joined Sydney University at 16

years old. I started out in the lowest team in

the club and I made my first-grade debut as

an 18-year-old. Opportunities opened up to

play representative football in the National

Rugby Championship in Australia so I spent

a couple of seasons doing that. After some

strong form playing for Sydney University, I

got a contract down in Melbourne for 2020

which was another milestone in my career.

It’s led me to where I am today.”

ON SETTLING IN AT MUNSTER…

“I’m loving it. It was a big change coming

over in the middle of a pandemic, but all

the boys have been really nice and the

staff are amazing. The facilities are world

class. It's been a seamless transition. It’s

been a lot to move to the other side of the

world, but everyone here has been really

accommodating and made me feel at

home.”

ON HIS KNOWLEDGE OF MUNSTER PRIOR

TO ARRIVING…

“In the southern hemisphere you don't

really hear too much or get to see too much

of the games of the northern hemisphere.

But I definitely knew a bit about Munster

and some of the other Irish provinces

before I came. I knew it was obviously one

of leading clubs in Europe - if not the world.

The name carries a lot of weight in the


rugby community. I’m just really excited to

be part of a great rugby club.”

ON HIS FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF

THOMOND PARK…

“Loved it! It was so good to finally see it at the

Sharks game - the very, very vocal crowd,

such passionate supporters. The facility is

amazing. To just sit on the sidelines as a

spectator watching it was really exciting.

Hopefully I’ll get a chance to get out there

and be in front of the fans and be cheered

on by probably the most passionate fans

I've ever seen.”

ON HIS HOPES FOR THE

SEASON…

“I just want to put the best

performance in on and off the

park to help the team. If I can

win a few caps for Munster

that will be an absolute dream

come true. Obviously, I want to

be on the field as much as I

can. I just want to be part of

a winning culture and make

sure I'm doing the best I can

to make sure we get the

job done on the

weekend and

hopefully bring

home some

silverware for

the fans.”

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WOMEN'S RUGBY NEWS

U18 WOMEN’S RUGBY FLOURISHING AT TRALEE RFC

U18 Women’s rugby is flourishing at Tralee

RFC and last week, Women’s Development

Coordinator Willie Shubart, Women’s

Development Officer Ken Imbusch and

Club & Community Rugby Officer Emmett

O’Callaghan attended the squad’s training

session to provide additional support to the

team’s coaches.

Head coach and Club & Community Rugby

Officer Brian O’Dowd and coaches Diana

O’Keeffe and Shane O’Brien were on hand

to discuss the growth of the club’s youth

section over the last number of years and

their partnership with Iveragh RFC.

Tralee RFC has been developing their

women’s rugby section for some time, with

a successful senior Women’s team operating

for a number of years. In recent times, they

have been turning their focus to develop

their U18 team. Brian acknowledges:

“We've had women's rugby here in Tralee

RFC for a good while - senior team, U10’s,

U14’s, U16’s and we had a reasonable

number of U18’s. Then Diana O’Keeffe,

Shane O’Brien and I got involved to drive on

the U18’s group.

“We started off with 11 players last year, 13

maybe, and now we've gone up into the

20’s. It's just getting across that rugby is

first of all fun, it's enjoyable, there is a place

for everybody on a rugby pitch. It doesn't

matter what size, how big, how strong, how

fast you are. It doesn't matter there's a place

for everybody.”

Coach Diana O’Keeffe has been watching the

numbers come through from the younger

age-grades: “It’s great to see them growing

from I suppose the start of U14’s then into

U16’s, building into U18’s and then having

the combination of Iveragh and Tralee RFC.

Getting the interlink between each other -

it was fantastic to see. We have the bones

of nearly 20 players out training. That's

massive. You wouldn't get that and see that

in a lot of places at any age level for females

in any sport. It’s massive to see it at U18’s.”

Munster’s Women’s Development

Coordinator Willie Schubart has been

pleasantly surprised and boosted by the

great numbers that have been turning out

at the club:

“We saw numbers go up all around the

province and more so in Kerry, where the

numbers may not have been as strong.

We've seen the total opposite of what

we expected. We thought we would lose

numbers - instead we've seen a huge

increase.”

For Shane O’Brien, it’s a family affair:

“As you can imagine in Kerry, where it's

dominated by another sport, it's very

important for the parents and the kids to

be involved for integration. We have past

players and current players coaching with

us. It’s important as a parent as well to be

involved. My own daughter is playing with

the U18’s. It sets a good example to be

involved and there is a social obligation to

give back to a sport that gives to you also.”

Check out the video HERE


37


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39

5,000 FREE Munster Junior

Supporters Club memberships

Registration opens Mon 4th October!

Proud Sponsors of Junior Munster Rugby Supporters Club

.

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www.mrsc.ie/junior-club


MRSC NEWS

MEMBERSHIP OF THE JUNIOR MRSC IN ASSOCIATION WITH INVER IS NOW OPEN

Membership is completely free, thanks to

our fantastic sponsors, Inver. CLICK HERE

to register your place in the Junior MRSC

and be part of the next generation of the

Red Army!

Over the past year, in association with

Inver, we’ve spoken about important topics

such internet safety, physical activity and

developing a positive mindset and we will

continue to talk about important topics

such as this to help our Junior members

develop.

As we go forward over the next year,

we will be looking to bring back some of

the events we all love with and we will

continue to offer the next generation of

Munster fans the best experience possible.

This includes:

• A membership pack delivered for

Christmas which includes an exclusive

gift (You must register before October

26 to receive your gift)

• Chances to be selected as match day

mascot for the Munster team throughout

the season.

• Junior only member events throughout

the year

• Lots of exclusive competitions with

great prizes throughout the year

• Our exclusive email newsletter

Please contact juniorclub@munsterrugby.ie

if you have any questions. If you registered

for membership last year, you will need to

register again this year.

Thank you for your support!

MUNSTER MOMENT OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER 2021

The Munster Women’s team winning the Interprovincial title after

a clean sweep of three outstanding victories over the other three

provinces was voted the September Moment of the Month.

It was the first time the competition has run since February 2020,

with a great response from fans. Everyone who voted was in with

the chance to win two tickets to tonight’s match against Connacht.

Also in the running for the September Moment of the Month was

the return of fans to Thomond Park in substantial numbers for

the first time in almost 19 months for the URC clash against the

Sharks, and Ballincollig RFC’s winning return to the Women's AIL

for the first time in 11 years last month in a great achievement for

the club.

Keep an eye on www.munsterrugby.ie in the coming weeks for

details of how to vote for the October Moment of the Month.

Nicole Cronin takes a

moment to enjoy the

Interprovincial title win


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FIXTURES 2021/22

Date Fixture/Result Venue

Irish KO times

Sat, Sep 25 - W Munster 42-17 Cell C Sharks Thomond Park

Sat, Oct 2 - W Munster 34-18 DHL Stormers Thomond Park

Sun, Oct 10 - W Scarlets 13-43 Munster Parc y Scarlets

Sat, Oct 16 - 19:35 Munster v Connacht Thomond Park

Sat, Oct 23 - 19:35 Ospreys v Munster Liberty Stadium

Sat, Nov 27 - 17:45 Bulls v Munster Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Sat, Dec 4 - 15:30 Lions v Munster Emirates Airline Park

Sun, Dec 12 - 15:15 Wasps v Munster Coventry Building Society Arena

Sat, Dec 18 - 20:00 Munster v Castres Olympique Thomond Park

Sun, Dec 26 - 19:35 Munster v Leinster Thomond Park

Sat, Jan 1 - 17:15 Connacht v Munster The Sportsground

Sat, Jan 8 - 19:35 Munster v Ulster Thomond Park

Fri, Jan 14 - 20:00 Castres Olympique v Munster Stade Pierre Fabre

Sun, Jan 23 - 15:15 Munster v Wasps Thomond Park

W/E-29th Jan Zebre v Munster Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi

W/E-19th Feb Munster v Edinburgh Thomond Park

W/E-5th Mar Munster v Dragons Thomond Park

W/E-26th Mar Munster v Benetton Musgrave Park

W/E-2nd Apr Leinster v Munster The RDS

W/E-23rd Apr Ulster v Munster Kingspan Stadium

W/E-30th April Munster v Cardiff Musgrave Park

W/E-21st May Glasgow v Munster Scotstoun Stadium

Buy Tickets


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2021/22 RANGE


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Available Now

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The oval trim design is a registered trademark of Gilbert Rugby.


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Munster Rugby v Connacht Rugby Match Programme

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