Tag Archives: Munster

Munster head coach, Johann van Graan, has defended the form of his players involved in Ireland’s Six Nations campaign as they prepare to return to the provincial camp. The performances of many Munster players including Conor Murray, CJ Stander and Peter O’Mahony were criticised through the disappointing campaign, especially during last week’s loss to Wales in the Principality Stadium. The Irish …

EPCR have confirmed the possible venues for the Heineken Cup semi-finals with the Irish sides potentially facing a trip to the Aviva Stadium in the last four. Home advantage for teams in the last eight will be based off their pool rankings, with Leinster ranked 2nd, Munster 5th and Ulster 6th. The first of the two semi-finals will consist of …

Munster scrum-half, Neil Cronin, has made quite a leap in the last 12 months from playing with Garryowen in the All Ireland League to signing a full-time professional contract with the province. The move from teaching to living and breathing rugby every day was a huge adjustment for the then 25-year-old but one is was more than happy to embrace …

Munster flanker, Fineen Wycherley, is determined to enjoy the opportunities that come his way with the province’s Irish contingent on Six Nations duty.  The back row is currently a very competitive line at the moment but a mixture of players in Ireland camp and injuries has ensured that the Bantry native retains his spot for the province’s PRO14 clash with …

Darren Sweetnam is hoping that with the Ireland contingent away on Six Nations duty, he can nail down a spot on the Munster starting team and eventually impress Joe Schmidt. The Cork native made his international debut during the 2017 Autumn Internationals coming on as a replacement for Rob Kearney before making his first start against Fiji. Sweetnam’s third cap came …

Munster head coach, Johann van Graan, has insisted that his side will need to be “really top-notch” to secure an away win against Ospreys on Friday. All four teams at the top of Conference A are in action against each other with Connacht set to face second-place Glasgow in Scotstoun Stadium, also on Friday.  With only two points between themselves …

There are so many photographs from Ireland’s triumphant Grand Slam win in Twickenham last year that will stay with Irish rugby fans for a long time to come. Rory Best lifting the trophy with Johnny Sexton holding the Tripe Crown plate, players embracing their families and Ireland fans preparing themselves for the celebrations that were to come. However, one photograph …

For any rugby player who has played the game professionally for 20 years, the thought of retirement must be a daunting one. However, for Peter Stringer, who retired last year on his own terms, he is happy to now live his life in the same manner.  Ireland are favourites going into this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England, having won …

Munster head coach, Johann van Graan, has made 13 changes to his side for their PRO14 clash with Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday.  Tyler Bleyendaal captains the team from inside centre with full-back Mike Haley and lock Jean Kleyn the only starters from the Exeter clash to keep their places. Darren Sweetnam and Ronan O’Mahony are named on the …

The EPCR have finalised the details for the upcoming Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, that see three of the Irish provinces. Munster will travel to BT Murrayfield for the first of three quarter-finals on Saturday, March 30, following their hard-fought win over Exeter last weekend. Kick off there is 12.45pm and the game will be broadcast live on Channel 4, Virgin Media, BT …

Munster out-half, Tyler Bleyendaal, has conceded that his goal of playing for Ireland is still “a long way away” as he continues to reintegrate back into the Munster squad following a lengthy injury.  The New Zealand native has been qualified to play for the country of his residency since last year and has trained with Joe Schmidt’s side in Carton …

Leinster’s bonus victory over Wasps in their Pool 1 game in Coventry has set up a home clash with Ulster as the Champions Cup quarter-final fixtures are finalised. The reigning champions’ win at the Ricoh Arena and Toulouse’s failure to secure a bonus point victory over Bath means that they will face inter-provincial rivals Ulster in what will be a …

Munster out-half, Joey Carbery, has revealed that one of his major goals is to overtake Jonathan Sexton as the best Irish No.10, and not to simply wait for him to retire.  Carbery served his apprenticeship under the World Player of the Year at Leinster and Ireland, but when his appearances came more often at full-back rather than out-half, he made the …

Munster have confirmed that out-half, Ian Keatley, will join Benetton Treviso at the end of the season, after eight years with the province. Keatley joined Munster from Connacht ahead of the 2011/12 season, originally signing a two-year contract as a replacement for Paul Warwick. He made his debut against Dragons in September 2011. Since then, he has scored 1,247 points in …

Exeter revived their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup with a 34-12 win over 14-man Castres at Sandy Park on Sunday. The Chiefs, top of the English Premiership, needed to win their final two group fixtures, against French club Castres and two-time European champions Munster, to have a chance of reaching the knockout phase. Exeter, …

Munster full-back, Mike Haley, has urged his teammates to embrace the challenge that Gloucester will provide tonight in Kingsholm in their Pool 2 Heineken Champions Cup encounter.  Johann van Graan has named a strong team for the encounter with Chris Farrell deemed fit to play following a positive scan on his knee earlier this week. Gloucester have had their own …