Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby Match Programme

v ULSTER 

THOMOND PARK 

08 Jan 2022|7.35PM 

MUNSTER V ULSTER | 08.01.22 | THOMOND PARK 

1

2 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME 

I’m sure you will join me in wishing Johann, his 

coaches and the entire squad our best wishes and 

success in tonight’s game and into the European 

campaign ahead. 

January sees the restart of our domestic league 

and cups after the Christmas break. Hopefully, 

the current situation will improve, and all our 

competitions will proceed as normal into the weeks 

and months ahead. Spring is around the corner and 

with it hopefully will come a better and more normal 

time for us all. 

It is my pleasure on behalf of Munster Rugby 

to extend a warm welcome to all attending this 

evening’s United Rugby Championship game. 

We welcome head coach Dan McFarland, his 

squad of players and all the travelling supporters. A 

special welcome to President Gary Leslie and all his 

colleagues in Ulster Rugby. 

Interpros by their nature are normally a close 

encounter. Last week’s away game against 

Connacht was no different, which saw the home 

side take the spoils on a very tight 10-8 scoreline at 

the Sportsground. We head to Europe next week, 

but all the focus will be on tonight’s game, a game 

that has all the signs of a very interesting encounter. 

Squad rotation and selection plays a big part in this 

game as January is a busy month for Munster with 

five matches in a row. 

After our last home game against Castres which was 

attended by 20,000+, circumstances unfortunately 

for tonight will see a reduced crowd of 5,000 but no 

doubt the supporters that will be in the ground will 

give their all cheering on their team. 

Since our last home game, Gerry Moore, Past 

President of the Munster Branch sadly passed away. 

Gerry was President in 1991/92 and from Richmond 

RFC. After his Presidency, Gerry took on many roles 

within Munster. From fixtures to fundraising, Gerry 

was the go-to man. His contribution to all things 

Munster over many years is well documented and 

noted. To his wife Rose and all the family, our sincere 

sympathies. May Gerry rest in peace. 

Once again, a thank you to Bank of Ireland our main 

sponsor, Adidas our kit supplier, and all our sponsors. 

Your continued support is much appreciated. 

On behalf of all in Munster Rugby a very happy, 

peaceful and safe 2022 to all. 

To the brave and faithful nothing is impossible. 

Sean McCullough 

President, Munster Branch IRFU 

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 

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WWW.UNITEDRUGBY.COM/MYURC 


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 

ROWNTREE SIGNS CONTRACT 

EXTENSION 

It was announced earlier this week that Munster 

Rugby Forwards Coach Graham Rowntree has 

signed a two-year contract extension that will see 

him remain with the province until at least June 

2024. 

The former England prop made the move to 

Limerick in October 2019 on completion of his 

Rugby World Cup coaching duties with Georgia 

Rugby. With an impressive coaching CV and vast 

experience, he previously held coaching roles 

with the British and Irish Lions, England Rugby, 

Harlequins and Leicester Tigers. 

Commenting on the contract news, Graham 

Rowntree said, “I am delighted to be committing 

my future to Munster Rugby. I have made my 

thoughts about this club widely known throughout 

my time so far, and for me and my family it really 

has been an easy decision, a non-decision if truth 

be told. We’ve put down roots here and have no 

desire to move anywhere else. 

This is a club with established 

structures, facilities, staff, players, 

supporters, and resources that 

any club or coach would be 

envious of and I’m 

very excited to be 

able to play my 

part in the years to 

come.” 

U20S SIX NATIONS IN CORK - 

TICKETS ON SALE 

Tickets for all three of Ireland’s 2022 U20 Six 

Nations home games at Musgrave Park are now on 

sale. Ireland’s campaign begins at Musgrave Park 

with a clash against Wales on Friday, February 4 

(8pm). Richie Murphy‘s Ireland will travel to France 

in Round 2 on 11 February, before hosting Italy 

in Cork on Friday, February 25 (8pm). In Round 

4, England host Ireland on Saturday, 12 March 

before Murphy’s charges host Scotland on ‘Super 

Sunday’, March 20 (Kick-off 5pm). The Ireland 

U20s squad defeated Munster Development 13-21 

at Musgrave Park on 30 December last. 

URC FIXTURES CONFIRMED 

The schedule for Munster’s upcoming United 

Rugby Championship fixtures up to R17 has 

been confirmed with adjustments made to 

cater for postponed and rescheduled fixtures. 

As confirmed in October the men’s side will 

return to Musgrave Park for the first time since 

February 2020 and close out the regular season 

when hosting Benetton Rugby in March and 

Cardiff Rugby in April under Friday Night Lights. 

Munster’s postponed URC fixtures from R6 and 

R7 that were due to take place in South Africa will 

now be moved to the weekends of March 11/12 

and March 18/19. For R15 and R16 Munster will 

be on the road facing Interprovincial opposition 

Leinster on Saturday, April 2 at the Aviva with 

Ulster three weeks later on Friday, April 22 at 

Kingspan Stadium. 

URC Home Fixtures 

R12 v Edinburgh 

Friday, Feb 18, Thomond Park (7.35pm). 

R13 v Dragons 

Saturday, Mar 5, Thomond Park (5.15pm). 

R14 v Benetton Rugby 

Friday, Mar 25, Musgrave Park (7.35pm). 

R17 v Cardiff Rugby 

Friday, Apr 29, Musgrave Park (7.35pm). 

Buy Ireland v Wales tickets here 

Buy Ireland v Italy tickets here 

Buy Ireland v Scotland tickets here 

Ticket Pricing 

Family Terrace: €30 

(2 adults & 2 Juniors) 

Adult Stand: €20 

Young Munster's 

Conor Moloney 

in action for the 

Ireland U20s 


7

ROUND 10 PREVIEW 

The new year continues with two more 

derby matches while the United Rugby 

Championship could have new leaders by 

the end of the weekend. 

Munster are nine points behind leaders 

Leinster, albeit with a game in hand, after 

suffering a second URC loss of the season 

when going down at Connacht on New 

Year’s Day, however Munster have won five 

successive matches at Thomond Park. 

Ulster have won 17 and drawn two of their 

39 meetings with Munster and both of their 

defeats in any competition this season came 

on their travels. 

The home side have won the last six 

encounters between these teams - the 

last time Ulster won at the venue in this 

competition was a 19-17 success in May 

2014. 

Earlier today, Mike Blair’s Edinburgh played 

Cardiff and a win will ensure they leapfrog 

Leinster and strengthen their Scottish/Italian 

Shield prospects in the process. 

Glasgow Warriors welcome the Ospreys to 

Scotstoun with the Welsh side looking to 

respond to their derby loss at Scarlets on 

New Year’s Day. 

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

1 LEINSTER RUGBY 7 6 0 1 219 85 134 32 11 5 0 29 

2 EDINBURGH RUGBY 7 5 1 1 171 114 57 23 14 5 1 28 

3 ULSTER RUGBY 7 5 0 2 169 115 54 24 13 4 1 25 

4 OSPREYS 8 5 0 3 161 181 -20 14 22 1 1 22 

5 GLASGOW WARRIORS 7 4 0 3 160 138 22 22 15 3 2 21 

6 BENETTON RUGBY 8 4 0 4 180 192 -12 23 26 3 2 21 

7 MUNSTER RUGBY 6 4 0 2 157 94 63 21 10 3 1 20 

8 CONNACHT RUGBY 8 4 0 4 206 179 27 30 23 3 1 20 

9 SCARLETS 6 3 0 3 142 179 -37 18 26 3 1 16 

10 CARDIFF RUGBY 5 3 0 2 120 114 6 13 10 1 1 14 

11 EMIRATES LIONS 5 2 0 3 107 120 -13 11 17 2 1 11 

12 CELL C SHARKS 5 2 0 3 115 129 -14 11 16 0 1 9 

13 DRAGONS 7 1 0 6 131 174 -43 14 20 2 3 9 

14 DHL STORMERS 5 1 1 3 99 123 -24 12 15 0 1 7 

15 VODACOM BULLS 5 1 0 4 65 131 -66 7 15 0 1 5 

16 ZEBRE RUGBY 6 0 0 6 66 200 -134 8 30 1 0 1 


Ben Healy 

Nathan Doak 

COMPARISON MUNSTER ULSTER 

Last 3 URC results 16 Oct - Connacht (H) W 20-18 

23 Oct - Ospreys (A) L 10-18 

1 Jan - Connacht (A) L 8-10 

23 Oct - Connacht (A) L 11-36 

27 Nov - Leinster (A) W 20-10 

4 Dec - Ospreys (A) L 13-19 

URC 2021/22 7th - W4 D0 L2 - 20pts 3rd - W5 D0 L2 - 25pts 

URC form WWwWll wWWlwl 

Top try scorer 3 - Chris Cloete 5 – Nick Timoney 

Top points scorer 24 – Ben Healy 48 – Nathan Doak 

HEAD TO HEAD 

Munster wins 

Ulster wins 

20 17 2 

MATCH FACTS 

Draws 

• Munster have won their last five fixtures at 

Thomond Park since Connacht won at the 

venue in the Rainbow Cup in May. 

• Ulster have lost just twice in any 

competition this season, both away from 

home in the United Rugby Championship, 

to Connacht in Round 5 and Ospreys in 

Round 7. 

• Ulster’s 20-10 victory over Leinster at 

the RDS in November ended a run of six 

successive defeats against fellow Irish 

provinces. 

• The last six meetings between the two 

provinces have all gone the way of the 

home side on the day since the two rivals 

drew 24-all at Thomond Park in April 2018. 


9

Supporting the Red Army 

On & Off the Field 

Official Medical & Sports Injury 

Partner to Munster Rugby 

@medicarefirstaid 

@physiologix_sports 


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) 

Limited Availability 

www.rugbytravelireland.com T: 061 624734 

OTP Travel Services Ltd (497583) T/A Rugby Travel Ireland is Licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, TO 0260. 


11

THE 

INSIDE 

TRACK 

GRAHAM ROWNTREE 

On recent challenges and disruptions… 

“It is a challenge…you have got guys who have 

not played or starting a game for two months, 

units who have not had a lot of time to get on 

the training field. You are constantly adapting. 

We had a session last week where we had two 

guys pulled from the session as we were walking 

to the session. But that is the same with every 

team, in every club. There have been loads of 

disruptions. That's no excuse for what happened 

Saturday night. We've highlighted the key 

areas where we have got to be better around 

our composure, our discipline. We conceded 

seventeen penalties - we don't do that. You're 

struggling to win a game giving that many away 

and they kept they kept utilising those penalties 

to put us in the corner or take the points. 

Disruptions are no excuse. I have been right in 

the middle of all those disruptions sat in a hotel 

in Cape Town with fourteen other guys for ten 

days. We came back and did another ten days 

here in isolation, coaching from my laptop. We 

actually won some big games without me here 

and coaching through my laptop. Thank God 

for pinotage and South African red wine that's 

all I'll say. That's why I look like I've being living 

on a desert island for the last month because I 

pretty much have in isolation. But no, that's no 

excuse for what happened Saturday night. Let 

me reiterate that. We’ve got to be better, just got 

to be better than we were.” 

On emerging players… 

“I’d say that’s one thing we've been really 

good at, particularly in the last couple years is 

bringing these guys through. We have spoken 

before about the art of bringing those guys 

through at the right time with the right people 

around them. I thought Alex Kendellen was 

very good on Saturday night in his first start 

for the club at 7. Some of the data that is in the 

game now, that's available to us now shows his 

work rate was incredible. He is setting a new 

standard there so very pleased with the young 

guys. That's what we have in abundance now, 

particularly in that back five of the scrum. For 

me as a forwards coach that's pretty pleasing.” 

On his contract extension… 

“I like it here so much. I said that in my statement, 

and I think I've said it before what I think of 

the club and the people here. My family have 

settled really well. It's important in our world to 

have a good balance of work and play time and 

I have enjoyed that here. I'm enjoying working 

with the people I work with, the coaches and 

the players. That's it really, I can't say any more 

than that.” 


MIKE HALEY 

On the defeat to Connacht last weekend… 

“We're not hiding from the fact that we were 

massively disappointed. It was a frustrating 

game for us, and we didn't perform. We just 

needed to hash a few things out, have a bit of a 

meeting and just talk through some of the key 

points that we thought arose from the game. 

We got that out of the way on Monday. I think 

that actually was a good opportunity because 

the squad has only been back together for a 

couple of weeks. Putting a performance like 

that in early gives you a bit of a kick and you 

have to get it right straight away. We're looking 

at potentially as a blessing in disguise and we 

can put that to bed and move on.” 

where you have to put yourself in the best 

situation - training as much as you can, get in 

all the reps that you need and get up to speed 

as quickly as possible. It's a challenge but it's 

something we are all addressing.” 

On this game against Ulster… 

“There's no bigger challenge than Ulster and 

the interpros of Leinster, Ulster and Connacht, 

they're all insanely tough games. There's no 

easy match there. So, the best thing to get over 

poor form is to get straight back on the horse 

and look forward to the next one. There's a 

bit of excitement again around the camp and 

we're looking forward to pulling out a better 

performance at the weekend.” 

On returning to play… 

“I suppose it's just getting your timing right to 

be able to deal with the pressure that actually 

comes with the game. I know when we had the 

time in South Africa and then the isolation stuff, 

you can be doing all the training you want in 

the background but until you get into full speed 

of playing a game of rugby, whether that's in 

training or on the field, there are elements of 

timing and reading situations that you just can't 

get in any other situation. If you look at a preseason 

for example, you would have about 5, 

6, 7 weeks to get yourself up to speed, so that 

come the first game, you know you're flying. 

There are situations here where there's lads 

that haven't really played for like 7-8 weeks and 

hadn’t done anything. Then you come in and 

have a couple of weeks training and you have 

got to perform to the highest standard. That's 


13

looking after you always 

The Official Health 

and Wellbeing 

Partner to 

Munster Rugby 

Always a beat ahead 

layahealthcare.ie 


MURRAY SIGNS 

CONTRACT EXTENSION 

In recent weeks, Ireland and Munster Rugby announced that Conor Murray has signed an 

IRFU contract extension which will see him continue his career at his home province up to at 

least the end of July 2024. 

Conor made his international debut against 

France in August 2011 in a Rugby World Cup 

warm-up game and has since gone on to 

represent his country at three Rugby World 

Cups (2011, 2015, 2019). 

The 32-year-old has won 92 caps for Ireland 

winning three Six Nations championship titles 

to date (2014, 2015, 2018). 

He has toured with the British and Irish Lions 

on three occasions and during the summer 

was made tour captain in the absence of the 

injured Alun Wyn Jones. He has played in 

eight Test matches for the Lions across the 

three tours (2013, 2017, 2021). 

Conor made his Munster debut against 

Connacht in 2010 and has represented the 

province on 153 occasions scoring 170 points, 

winning a Celtic Cup title in 2011. 

Conor Murray, said, “I’m delighted and 

grateful to be able to continue living this 

dream of playing here in Ireland. With my 

home province Munster and the national 

squad, I truly believe there’s huge potential of 

success and that there will be many more big 

days ahead.” 

CLICK HERE for more contract news 

from earlier this week. 

MUNSTER V ULSTER | 08.01.22 | THOMOND PARK 15

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SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP TROPHY NAMED 

THE GARRETT FITZGERALD CUP 

The trophy for the Pinergy Munster Schools 

Senior Cup has been renamed the Garrett 

Fitzgerald Cup as a fitting tribute and 

acknowledgement of the former CEO’s 

contribution to the schools’ game in the 

province. 

Fitzgerald, who passed away in February 

2020, was at the helm of Munster Rugby 

for twenty years and prior to that held 

numerous coaching roles across schools, 

club, and representative sides. 

As a player he won a Munster Schools 

Senior Cup with CBC in 1971 and later 

coached the school to a total of five 

Munster Senior Cup titles guiding teams 

during a highly successful period when 

claiming four successive Senior Cups from 

1997 to 2000. 

the four-in-a-row success and fittingly the 

Schools Senior Cup from that period, and 

the now christened Garrett Fitzgerald Cup, 

were both on display. 

Commenting on the cup recognition, Áine 

O’Donnell said, “Having this historic cup 

named after Garrett is a lovely tribute to 

what he achieved and to remember what 

the schools’ game, and the grassroots 

game overall, meant to him. 

“He was a huge believer in young people 

and wanting them to reach their potential. 

Winning this cup recognises excellence 

and achieving one’s potential and having 

Garrett’s name associated with it is a huge 

honour.” 

CBC remain the only school to hold this 

honour having previously achieved the feat 

in the 1970s. 

Garrett’s wife Áine O’Donnell and daughter 

Megan were on hand recently to attend an 

honorary event at the school recognising 

Áine O’Donnell and 

daughter Megan with the 

Garrett Fitzgerald Cup. 

Credit: Eddie O'Hare 


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 MASCOT 

DAIRE MCGRATH 

Age: 9 

School: Bishop Harty National School, 

Toomevara, Co. Tipperary 

Hobbies & interests: Rugby, wrestling, video 

games, cycling 

Favourite player: Joey Carbery 

CONAL PLATT 

Age: 9 

School: Lisnagry National School, 

Castleconnell, Limerick 

Hobbies: Rugby and hockey 

Favourite 

FLASHING 

player: 

LIGHTS! 

Ben Healy 

Please note that there may be flashing and fast-moving 

lights at Thomond Park ahead of kick-off. 

Please SSW seek Munster assistance Rugby from Halfpage.pdf a steward 1 if you 17/09/2021 feel unwell. 11:15 

HARRY GUNNIP 

Age: 8 

School: Faithlegg National School, Co. 

Waterford 

Hobbies: Golf, soccer, hurling, Gaelic football, 

and hopes to start rugby as soon as his 

Please wear a face 

treatment for Lymphoma in Crumlin is finished. 

covering Hanging out with at all twin times 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 


JOEY CARBERY 

Flyhalf 

01.11.95 

H: 1.93m 

W: 85.91kg 


Scrum Half 

19.04.99 

H: 1.65 m 

W: 75.91 kg 


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 


Back Row/Lock 

11.12.97 

H: 1.98 m 

W: 110 kg 


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 


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 


CHRIS FARRELL 

Centre 

16.03.93 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 110 kg 


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 


JEAN KLEYN 

Lock 

26.08.93 

H: 2.03m 

W: 120.91 kg 


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 


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 


PETER O'MAHONY 

Back Row 

17.09.89 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 106.82 kg 


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 


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 


RORY SCANNELL 

Centre 

22.12.93 

H: 1.78 m 

W: 95.91 kg 


RG SNYMAN 

Lock 

29.01.95 

H: 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 



23

MUNSTER RUGBY 

STARTING XV 

Dave Kilcoyne Niall Scannell Stephen Archer 

Thomas Ahern 

Fineen 

Wycherley 

Peter 

O'Mahony (C) 

John Hodnett 

Gavin 

Coombes 

Craig Casey 

Jack Crowley 

Simon Zebo 

Rory Scannell 

Chris Farrell 

Sean French 

Mike Haley 

#MUNvULS 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION 

Replacements 

16. Diarmuid Barron 17. Josh Wycherley 18. John Ryan 19. Tadhg Beirne 

20. Jack O'Donoghue 21. Neil Cronin 22. Ben Healy 23. Shane Daly 


ULSTER RUGBY 

STARTING XV 

Jack McGrath 

Rob Herring 

Tom O’Toole 

Alan 

O’Connor (C) 

Sam Carter 

Greg Jones 

Nick Timoney 

Duane 

Vermeulen 

John Cooney 

Billy Burns 

Ethan McIlroy 

James Hume 

Ben Moxham 

Craig Gilroy 

Mike Lowry 

MATCH OFFICIALS 

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU) 

AR1: Paul Haycock (IRFU) 

AR2: Dermot Blake (IRFU) 

TMO: Brian McNeice (IRFU) 

Replacements 

16. John Andrew 17. Andrew Warwick 18. Ross Kane 19. Kieran Treadwell 

20. Marcus Rea 21. Nathan Doak 22. Angus Curtis 23. Rob Lyttle 


25

THE SPIRIT OF 

UNITED RUGBY 

CHAMPIONSHIP. 

Enjoy responsibly 

DISCOVER THE SPIRIT WITHIN | 

#SAVOURTHEMOMENT 


THE LOWDOWN 

THE SQUAD 

In recent days, Ulster announced the signing 

of Sean Reffell from Saracens. The exciting 

23-year-old Irish-qualified back row will join the 

club next season. The signing comes off the 

back of a number of contract announcements 

in recent weeks with news that Jack Cooney, 

Will Addison, Ethan McIlroy, Stuart McCloskey, 

Nathan Doak, Jordi Murphy, Marty Moore, Billy 

Burns, Matty Rea, Tom O’Toole and James 

Hume have all committed their futures to Ulster 

Rugby. The province added Rugby World Cup 

winning No. 8 Duane Vermeulen to their ranks 

in September, with the powerful back row 

making his debut against Clermont Auvergne in 

December. On the international front, Ulster’s 

Robert Baloucoune, Iain Henderson, Rob 

Herring, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Tom 

O’Toole, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney 

were all named in Andy Farrell’s squad for the 

Autumn Nations Series. 

JAMES HUME 

Age: 23 

Born: Belfast 

Position: Centre 

Height: 188cm 

Weight: 95kg 

Honours: Ireland (1 cap) 

Ulster Appearances: 49 

2021/22 SEASON 

Appearances: 8 

Tries: 3 

Tackles: 45 

Carries: 47 

ONE TO WATCH 

THE FORM GUIDE 

Dan McFarland 

Ulster come into this game having not played 

since their 27-22 win over Northampton Saints 

in Europe on 17 December. In Round 1 the 

previous week, they claimed an impressive 23-29 

win over Clermont Auvergne on the road. With 

seven matches in the URC played, Ulster lie in 

3rd position in the table, with five wins to date, 

their most recent outing in the URC a Round 7 

defeat to Ospreys in Swansea on December 4. 

Ulster’s 10-20 winning performance over Leinster 

in the RDS in Round 6 has been a highlight of the 

season so far. Round 5 saw them go down 36-11 

to Connacht at the Sportsground at the end of 

October. Ulster's first four games this season saw 

them defeat Glasgow Warriors, Zebre, Benetton 

and the Emirates Lions. 

THE COACHING TICKET 

Former Scotland and Glasgow Warriors assistant 

coach Dan McFarland has been the man in charge 

as head coach since 2018, having previously 

worked as an assistant coach for Scotland and 

Glasgow Warriors. The former Stade Français and 

Connacht prop previously coached in Connacht 

before joining Gregor Townsend’s Glasgow 

Warriors in 2015 and going onto assist Townsend 

with the national side from 2017. Former Ulster, 

Ireland and Lions full-back Jared Payne stepped 

into the role of defence coach on his retirement 

in 2018. Assistant coach New Zealander Daniel 

Soper also joined the province in 2018 following 

a very successful career coaching Ballynahinch 

and Banbridge in the AIL and RBAI in the Ulster 

Schools Cups. Forwards coach Roddy Grant made 

138 appearances for Edinburgh before retiring 

due to injury in 2015. He coached in the Scottish 

Rugby Academy and with Edinburgh Rugby 

before joining the Ulster coaching team in 2019. 

Skills coach Craig Newby is a three-times capped 

All Black flanker and joined Ulster in March 2021. 


27

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29

RUGBY DEVELOPMENT NEWS 

CLONAKILTY CELEBRATE RUGBY MILESTONE 

#MunsterStartsHere 

It may have looked like any other busy Saturday 

at Clonakilty RFC but at the end of November, 

the West Cork club celebrated a significant 

milestone in their girls rugby programme. The 

club were hosting a Munster Rugby U14 Girls 

League fixture but instead of welcoming a 

visiting team from another part of the province, 

the club were able to field two teams at U14 

level – ‘Clonakilty Green’ v ‘Clonakilty Red’. 

“There are about 100 coaches involved across 

boys, girls and adults in Clon but if you go back 

seven or eight years, there’s probably 30. We 

just didn’t have the coaches or the structures 

to do it. We made a really concerted effort to 

grow from the bottom up,” Clonakilty Director 

of Rugby Neville Burton said. 

“We’re seeing all those Minis numbers now 

organically coming through at U14, U16 and 

for the first time in years, an U18 girls team this 

year. I think there’s about 150 girls now out of 

600 from playing membership and it’s growing 

every year. We’re immensely proud to have it as 

a real, strong recognised part of our club with 

numbers that are very soon going to rival the 

boys.” 

Passionate volunteers and a collective buy-in 

are key elements to this success according to 

Burton. Teresa Godwin Coombes as Head of 

Youth Girls, Sinead McNamara as Head of Minis 

Girls, Vicky McCabe and Youth Officer Helen 

Clonakilty Red and 

Clonakilty Green U14 teams 

O’Hea are just some of the volunteers involved 

in developing this growth. 

In Clonakilty, the club has a policy which favours 

participation over performance and this helps 

contribute to strong Youth numbers as Burton 

explains: 

“Everybody’s got the same mentality, it’s 

participation over performance up until U16. 

When we go back to a green and a red team 

playing each other a couple of weeks back. It’s 

the same around our Youth Boys as well. We 

have two U13 Boys, two U14 Boys and two U16 

Boys teams that are not A or Bs, they are equal 

strength. 

“We’re saying, ‘wherever we end up in 

competitions or medals and all the rest. That’s 

an afterthought.’ What we’re very focussed 

on is participation over performance up until 

U16s. Kids are seeing that and by running that 

structure, they’re getting a lot more gametime.” 

“I think that’s been great from us from a rugby 

point of view but from a general sport point of 

view, I think if we focus less on winning and 

focus more on kids having fun, girls having fun, 

girls participating, being out there with their 

mates, I think that’s probably the really key 

ingredient. 


BANK OF IRELAND MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP GETS UNDERWAY 

Bandon celebrate with 

the trophy in 2017 

The draw for the opening two rounds of the 

Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup have 

been announced with the first round getting 

underway tomorrow, January 9. 

The first round is made up of the clubs playing 

in Conference E of the Munster Junior League, 

second sides of senior clubs playing in Division 

2C of the AIL, plus some clubs from Conference 

B, C and Division 2A of the AIL. 

The second round has the 10 first round 

winners plus the remaining Junior sides in 

Round 1 – 9 January 

Bantry Bay v Castleisland, Bantry, 2pm 

Charleville v Youghal, Charleville, 2pm 

Chorca Dhuibhne v Killorglin, Ballydavid, 2pm 

Clonmel v Cobh Pirates, Clonmel, 2pm 

Douglas v Midleton, Castletreasure, 2pm 

Ennis v Dolphin, Ennis, 2pm 

Fermoy v Waterford City, Fermoy, 2pm 

Killarney v Tralee, Killarney, 2pm 

Nenagh Ormond v Sunday’s Well, Nenagh, 2pm 

Scariff v Bruff, Scariff, 2pm 

Conference C and D as well as the remaining 

2A AIL clubs. Mitchelstown did not enter the 

competition. 

The remaining clubs will enter the draw at the 

third round stage and theses ties are scheduled 

for 6 February with the draw taking place in 

January. 

The losers of games in Round 1 will play in the 

Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl, while 

the losers in Round 2 will play in the Bank of 

Ireland Munster Junior Plate. 

Round 2 – 30 January 

Charleville or Youghal v Thurles 

Clonmel or Cobh Pirates v Ennis or Dolphin 

Bantry Bay or Castleisland v Scariff or Bruff 

UL Bohemian v Nenagh Ormond or Sunday’s Well 

Kinsale v Chorca Dhuibhne or Killorglin 

Cashel v St. Mary’s 

Fethard v Dungarvan 

Fermoy or Waterford City v Kanturk 

Ballincollig v Old Crescent 

Killarney or Tralee v Douglas or Midleton 


31


GETTING TO KNOW 

Ethan Coughlan 

Ethan Coughlan won his first Munster cap off the bench against Wasps in Round 1 of the 

Champions Cup. Last month, he played with the Ireland U20s against Italy in UCD and 

against Munster Development at Musgrave Park as part of their Six Nations preparations. 

From Clare, the scrumhalf joined the 

Greencore Munster Rugby Academy last 

summer after coming up through the ranks 

at Ennis RFC. He won the U16 Munster 

title in 2018 and shared the U18 Cup title 

honours in 2020 as his progression from 

club and regional development squads saw 

him feature for Munster and Ireland at U18 

Clubs level. 

He captained the Ireland U18 Clubs in Italy 

in 2019 before signing up with All Ireland 

League side Shannon RFC. 

ON HIS RUGBY PATHWAY… 

“I was 11 or 12 when I started with Ennis. 

I was very fortunate – I had a good group 

of teammates and coaches that just cared 

about you. We were really successful, and I 

played Munster U18s two years in a row and 

played Ireland U18s two years in row and 

in the second year I captained the squad. 

There were a lot of league and cup wins 

throughout the years – we won the Munster 

U16 Cup and we got to the All-Ireland Final. 

We got to the Munster U18s final two years 

later but Covid took over. Hopefully, I’ll be 

involved with the Ireland U20s this year so 

that’s something to look forward to.” 

ON HIS FAVOURITE RUGBY MEMORY… 

“Playing with Ennis was something I really 

enjoyed. You are playing with your school 

mates, your family friends from when you 

are a young age. It is special. You definitely 

look back on it and remember enjoying 

those good days. Probably winning the 

U16s Munster Cup in Thomond Park. That’s 

probably the best memory.” 

looked after by nutritionists, S&Cs, physios. 

We don’t think about it enough, but you 

really do appreciate everything you get… 

the environment, the senior players being 

approachable…very good rugby players, 

and a lot of them world-class. As well as 

that they are very good people which I 

think is more important. It’s just a great 

experience.” 

ON COMPETITION WITHIN THE SQUAD… 

“You just do as much as you can and 

learn as much as you can. Get as many 

reps as you can in training, pay as much 

attention as possible. 

You may not even have 

a scrumhalf talking in 

a units meeting but it 

might be a winger or 

centre that is giving 

their own thoughts 

on things, and you do 

learn a lot from that 

as well. Obviously, I 

get a limited 

number of 

reps because 

there are so 

many 9s so I 

have to look 

at what extras 

I’m doing and 

how much 

you physically 

can do. That’s 

what I’m 

focusing on 

at the moment.” 

ON SETTLING INTO THE ACADEMY… 

“It is cool what we get to do. We get to train 

with the seniors every day. We get well 


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MUNSTER SENIOR CHALLENGE 

CUP FINALISTS CONFIRMED 

by Leonard Allen 

Holders Young Munster are through to the 

final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior 

Challenge Cup after a hard earned 16-13 

win over Highfield at Woodleigh Park on 

December 18 last as Newcastle West were 

well defeated by Clogher Valley in the All 

Ireland Junior Cup semi-final. 

Young Munster will now face Garryowen 

in this season’s final on a date yet to be 

announced after this narrow win, where the 

experience of the Limerick side saw them 

hold out in the final minutes as Highfield 

tried to save the game. 

The visitors jumped into the lead after three 

minutes when Evan Cusack kicked a penalty 

but Shane O’Riordan had the sides level 

minutes later with a long distance penalty. 

Cusack restored Young Munster’s lead with 

a penalty on 24 minutes and a minute from 

half time a super break by Patrick Ryan saw 

Aaron Hennessy score in the corner and 

Cusack converted for a 13-3 lead. 

Just on the stroke of half time O’Riordan 

reduced the deficit with his second penalty. 

Two minutes into the second half the sides 

were level when Paddy Ryan touched down 

after great work by Ronán O’Sullivan and 

O’Riordan converted. 

Ten minutes from time Cusack edged Young 

Munster ahead with his third penalty and 

Highfield did have a chance to level with a 

kickable penalty in added time but opted for 

the touch line and Young Munster held out 

for their place in the final. 

A disappointing second half performance 

by Newcastle West saw them lose away to 

Clogher Valley 47-9. Sean Herlihy kicked 

three penalties for the west Limerick side. 

Old Belvedere withdrew from the Women’s 

All Ireland Cup and thus gave UL Bohemian 

a walk over and a home tie against Cooke in 

the next round on 8 January. 

Action from Highfield v Young Munster 

© Colbert O'Sullivan 

MUNSTER V CONNACHT ULSTER | 08.01.22 | 16.10.21 | | THOMOND PARK PARK 

37


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39


SCHOOLS RUGBY NEWS 

PINERGY ANNOUNCED AS TITLE SPONSOR 

Last month, Pinergy was announced as the 

title sponsor of the Munster Schools Senior 

Cup rugby competition for at least the next 

four years. As part of the sponsorship, 

Pinergy will support the premier schools 

rugby tournament in the province, powering 

the development and sustainability of the 

game for young players throughout the 

region. 

For more than 110 years, the Munster 

Schools Senior Cup has been the 

backbone of youth rugby in the province. 

The competition has a proud tradition and 

history, and is where many current and 

former Munster Rugby stars cut their teeth 

in the game. 

Pinergy is proud to be supporting the 

development of schools rugby in Munster, 

and will be #PoweringTheDifference for 

some of Munster’s brightest up and coming 

young prospects with sustainable energy 

gains in the season ahead and ensuring 

a clear pathway for talented players right 

across the province. 

With the group stages of the competition 

already completed, the New Year will see 

a hotly-contested knockout format, with 

teams vying for a coveted final spot in a 

winner-takes-all battle in March 2022. There 

is no doubt that there will be thrills galore as 

some of Munster’s talented young athletes 

showcase their skill in a bid to be crowned 

Munster Schools Senior Cup champions. 

This year’s finalists will be hoping to 

get their hands on the recently renamed 

Garrett Fitzgerald Cup, which pays a fitting 

tribute to the former CEO’s contribution to 

the schools’ game in the province. 

Due to Covid-19, the last full season run for 

the Munster Rugby School’s Senior Cup 

saw Cork’s Christian Brothers College edge 

out Presentation Brothers to claim their 

30th Schools Senior Cup title at Musgrave 

Park in 2019. The 2020 edition of the Cup 

saw a return to the final for both teams, 

however the penultimate result, due to 

the pandemic, saw the Cup title shared 

between both sides. 

With all eyes on this year’s competition, 

excitement, and anticipation mounts for 

who will claim the 2021/22 title. Will we see 

a repeat of last year’s finalists or will two 

new teams upset the odds? 

Find out by following all of the updates 

from this year’s competition on Munster 

Rugby’s website (www.munsterrugby.ie), 

and find out more about Pinergy’s support 

of the competition on their social channels 

across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: 

Facebook: 

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Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/Pinergy 

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FIXTURES/RESULTS 2021/22 

Home Games 

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 - W Munster 20-18 Connacht Thomond Park 

Sat, Oct 23 - L Ospreys 18-10 Munster Liberty Stadium 

Sun, Dec 12 - W Wasps 14-35 Munster Coventry Building Society Arena 

Sat, Dec 18 - W Munster 19-13 Castres Olympique Thomond Park 

Sun, Dec 26 - PP Munster P-P Leinster Thomond Park 

Sat, Jan 1 - L Connacht 10-8 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 

Sat, Jan 29 - 17:00 Zebre v Munster Stadio Lanfranchi 

Fri, Feb 18 - 19:35 Munster v Edinburgh Thomond Park 

Sat, Mar 5 - 17:15 Munster v Dragons Thomond Park 

W/E Mar 11 - TBC Vodacom Bulls v Munster TBC 

W/E Mar 18 - TBC Emerates Lions v Munster TBC 

Fri, Mar 25- 19:35 Munster v Benetton Musgrave Park 

Sat, Apr 2 - 19:00 Leinster v Munster Aviva Stadium 

Fri, Apr 22 - 19:35 Ulster v Munster Kingspan Stadium 

Fri, April 29 - 19.35 Munster v Cardiff Musgrave Park 

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


45


MUNSTER RUGBY 

SHOP THE 

2021/22 RANGE 


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48

Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby Match Programme

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