2024-25 Munster Rugby season

Munster Rugby
Full nameMunster Rugby
Union IRFU
Nickname(s)The Red Army
Founded1879; 146 years ago (1879)
LocationLimerick and Cork, Ireland
Ground(s)Thomond Park (Capacity: 25,600)
Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,800)
ChairmanGerry O'Shea
CEOIan Flanagan
PresidentMichael Carroll
Coach(es)Vacant
Captain(s)Tadhg Beirne
League(s)United Rugby Championship (2024-25)
European Champions Cup (2024-25)
1st kit
2nd kit
3rd kit
Official website
www.munsterrugby.ie
Current season

The 2024–25 season is Munster Rugby's third season in the United Rugby Championship, their 31st season of professional rugby and their 137th season of representative rugby since their foundation. Along with competing in the URC and its Irish Shield competition, the club will also participate in the 2024-25 European Rugby Champions Cup.

Senior squad

Coaching and management staff

Position Name Nationality
Head coach vacant
Attack coach Mike Prendergast  Ireland
Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou  England
Defence coach Denis Leamy  Ireland
Skills coach Mossy Lawler  Ireland
Performance analyst and technical coach George Murray  Ireland
Team manager Niall O'Donovan  Ireland
Head of rugby operations Ian Costello  Ireland
Head of athletic performance Ged McNamara  Ireland
Strength and conditioning coach Adam Sheehan  Ireland

Senior squad

For player movements before or during the 2024–25 season, see List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers § Munster.
Munster Rugby senior squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Back three

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
L denotes a player on loan at the club.
Players and their allocated positions from the Munster Rugby website.

Academy squad

Coaching and management staff

Position Name Nationality
Academy and pathway manager Gearóid Prendergast  Ireland
Elite player development officer Brendan O'Connor  Ireland
Elite player development officer Tommy O'Donnell  Ireland
Pathway development coach Matt Brown  Ireland
National talent coach Mark Butler  Ireland
Strength and conditioning coach Danielle Cunningham  Ireland

Academy squad

Munster Rugby academy squad

Props

  • George Hadden (2)
  • Ronan Foxe (2)
  • Darragh McSweeney (3)
  • Kieran Ryan (3)

Hookers

  • Danny Sheahan (1)
  • Max Clein (2)

Locks

  • Michael Foy (1)
  • Evan O'Connell (3)

Back row

Scrum-halves

  • Jake O'Riordan (1)
  • Jack Oliver (3)

Fly-halves

  • Dylan Hicks (2)

Centres

Back three

Bold denotes internationally capped players, number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Munster Rugby website.


Transfers

Results : United Rugby Championship

Standings

2024–25 United Rugby Championship
 watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Leinster 10 10 0 0 296 123 +173 43 17 8 0 48
2 Glasgow Warriors 10 7 0 3 277 172 +105 41 22 6 3 37
3 Bulls 8 6 0 2 219 150 +69 29 16 4 2 30
4 Sharks 9 6 0 3 245 230 +15 30 34 3 2 29
5 Cardiff 10 5 1 4 220 255 –35 34 34 6 1 29
6 Scarlets 10 5 1 4 235 196 +39 25 28 2 3 27
7 Munster 10 5 0 5 230 252 –22 37 35 6 0 26
8 Edinburgh 10 4 0 6 244 250 -6 33 34 4 4 24
9 Ulster 10 4 0 6 220 232 –12 33 35 3 4 23
10 Benetton 10 4 1 5 187 260 –73 24 35 4 1 23
11 Ospreys 10 4 1 5 207 205 +2 26 25 2 2 22
12 Stormers 9 4 0 5 198 214 -16 26 29 4 1 21
13 Lions 8 4 0 4 171 178 -7 21 25 2 1 19
14 Connacht 10 3 0 7 215 247 -32 32 32 4 3 19
15 Zebre Parma 10 3 0 7 143 230 –87 18 32 1 3 16
16 Dragons 10 1 0 9 185 298 –113 23 42 1 3 8
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Champions Cup

Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2025–26 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup.
Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

Round 1

21 September 2024 (1 BP) Munster 35–33 Connacht (2 BP) Thomond Park, Limerick  
17:30 Try: Nankivell 28' c
Haley 31' c
Hodnett 44' c
Coombes 58' c
Daly 69' c
Con: Burns (3/3) 28', 32', 45'
Butler (2/2) 59', 70'
 Try: Ioane 13' m
B. Murphy (2) 20' c, 39' c
Hawkshaw 53' c
Forde 63' c
Con: Ioane (3/4) 21', 54', 64'
Forde 40' (1/1)
 Attendance: 15,705
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)

Round 2

28 September 2024 (1 BP) Zebre Parma 42–33 Munster (1 BP) Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma  
16:00 Try: Trulla (2) 22' m, 41' m
Fusco (2) 26' c, 59' c
Licata 51' c
Prisciantelli 62' m
Con: Montemauri (3/6) 27', 52' 60'
Pen: Montemauri 11'
Da Re 80'
 Try: Coombes (2) 19' c, 30' c
Haley 33' c
Fitzgerald 40' c
McCarthy 76' m
Con: Butler (4/5) 20', 31', 34', 41'
 Attendance: 2,300
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

Round 3

5 October 2024 (1 BP) Munster 23–0 Ospreys Musgrave Park, Cork  
19:35 Try: McCarthy 1' m
Farrell 26' m
Nash 39' m
O'Donoghue 63' m
Pen: Crowley 9'
 Attendance: 8,293
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

Round 4

12 October 2024 (1 BP) Leinster 26–12 Munster Croke Park, Dublin  
17:45 Try: Lowe 5' c'
Doris 10' c
Keenan 14' c
Snyman 40' m
Con: Frawley (3/4) 6', 11', 15'
 Try: O'Brien 34' m
Haley 65' c
Con: Crowley (1/2) 66'
 Attendance: 80,468
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)

Round 5

19 October 2024 Stormers 34–19 Munster Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town  
18:00 Try: Hartzenberg 5' c
Theunissen 33' c
R. Nel (2) 46' c, 80'+2
Con: Willemse (4/4) 6', 34', 47', 80'+3
Pen: Willemse 75'
Drop: Willemse 76'
 Try: Farrell 17 c'
Clarke 26' m
Coombes 67' c
Con: Crowley (2/3) 19', 68'
 Attendance: 28,013
Referee: Mike Adamson, Scotland

Round 6

26 October 2024 (1 BP) Sharks 41–24 Munster (1 BP) Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
16:00 Try: Fassi 0' c
Mapimpi 4' c
Williams 23' c
Esterhuizen 36' c
Tshituka 65' c
Con: Jo. Hendrikse (5/5) 1', 5', 24', 37', 66'
Pen: Jo. Hendrikse (2) 13', 48'
 Try: Ahern 18' m
Haley 30' m
Nash 73' c
Beirne 80'
Con: Burns (2/2) 73', 80'+1
 Attendance: 19,465
Referee: Hollie Davidson, Scotland

Round 7

30 November 2024 Munster 17–10 Lions (1 BP) Thomond Park, Limerick  
19:35 Try: Abrahams 15' c
S. Daly 42' m
Kendellen 53' m
Con: Burns (1/3) 16'
 Try: van Wyk 27' c
Con: Wolhuter (1/1) 28'
Pen: Wolhuter 32'
 Attendance: 11,836
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)

Round 8

20 December 2024 '(1 BP)' Ulster 19–22 Munster (1 BP) Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:35 Try: O'Toole 7 c'
Sheridan 64' m
McNabney 75' c
Con: Cooney (2/3) 8' 76
 Report Try: Farrell, 27', 51', 78' c
S. Daly, 66'
Con: Crowley (1/4) 80'
 Attendance: 14,313
Referee: Ben Whitehouse

Round 9

27 December 2024 Munster 7–28 Leinster (1 BP) Thomond Park, Limerick  
19:35 Try: Ahern 44'
Con: Burns (1/1) 46'
 Report Try: McGrath 8'
Prendergast 32'
van der Flier 53'
Doris 73'
Con: Prendergast (3/3) 9', 33', 53'
R. Byrne 74'
 Attendance: 26,267

Round 10

25 January 2025 Dragons 19–38 Munster Rodney Parade, Newport  
19:35 Attendance: 4,562

Round 11

15 February 2025 Munster v Scarlets Thomond Park, Limerick  
17:15

Round 12

28 February 2025 Munster v Edinburgh Musgrave Park, Cork  
19:35

Round 13

21 March 2025 Glasgow Warriors v Munster Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow  
19:35

Round 14

29 March 2025 Connacht v Munster MacHale Park, Castlebar, County Mayo  
14:30

Round 15

19 April 2025 Munster v Bulls Thomond Park, Limerick  
17:15

Round 16

25 April 2025 Cardiff v Munster Cardiff Arms Park  
19:35

Round 17

9 May 2025 Munster v Ulster Thomond Park, Limerick  
19:35

Round 18

16 May 2025 Munster v Benetton Musgrave Park, Cork  
20:00

Results: European Rugby Champions Cup

European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 3
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Northampton Saints (3) 4 3 0 1 137 106 +31 20 15 4 0 16 Home Champions Cup round of 16.
2 Castres (6) 4 3 0 1 105 86 +19 13 13 2 0 14
3 Munster (9) 4 2 0 2 96 69 +27 13 7 2 2 12 Away Champions Cup round of 16.
4 Saracens (13) 4 2 0 2 91 71 +20 11 9 2 1 11
5 Bulls (11CC) 4 1 0 3 84 113 −29 12 15 1 0 5 Away Challenge Cup round of 16.
6 Stade Français 4 1 0 3 76 144 −68 11 21 1 0 5
Source: EPCR
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
Pool matches

Round 1

7 December 2024 (1 BP) Munster 33–7 Stade Français Thomond Park, Limerick  
17:30 Try: Abrahams 15' c
Daly 29' c
Kendellen 49' c
Farrell 54' c
Coombes 78' m
Con: Crowley (4/5) 16', 30', 50', 55'
 Report Try: Castets 58' c
Con: Henry (1/1) 59'
 Attendance: 17,241
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Round 2

13 December 2024 Castres 16–14 Munster (1 BP) Stade Pierre-Fabre, Castres  
20:00 Try: Papali'i 12' m
Walcker 29' m
Pen: Fernandez (1/1) 48'
Le Brun (1/1) 72'
 Report Try: Hodnett (2) 37' c, 68' c
Con: Crowley (2/2) 38', 69'
 Attendance: 9,615
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)

Round 3

11 January 2025 Munster 17–12 Saracens (1 BP) Thomond Park, Limerick  
17:30 Try: Bleuler 59'
Hodnett 64' c
Con: Crowley (1/1) 60'
Pen: Crowley (2/3) 25', 65'
 Report Pen: Lozowski (3/3) 1', 10', 69'
Daly (1/1) 45'
 Attendance: 22,030
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)

Round 4

18 January 2025 (1 BP) Northampton Saints 34–32 Munster (1 BP) cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton  
15:15 Try: Seabrook (3) 13' m, 48' m, 67' c
Langdon 40+1' c
Ramm 54' c
Con: Smith (3/5) 40+2', 55', 68'
Pen: Smith (1/1) 59'
 Report Try: Nash (2) 22' c, 32' m
Kilgallen (2) 63' c, 78' c
Con: Crowley (3/4) 23', 64', 79'
Pen: Crowley (2/2) 32', 57'
 Attendance: 15,153
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Knockout matches

Round of 16

5 April 2025 La Rochelle (8) v (9) Munster Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle  
18:30

Friendlies and challenge matches

31 August 2024 Bath Rugby 24–21 Munster Recreation Ground  
18:30 Report Attendance: 9.603
6 September 2024 Munster 19–33 Gloucester Rugby Musgrave Park  
18:30 Report Attendance: 4,487
2 November 2024 Munster 24–38 All Blacks XV Thomand Park  
18:30 Report Attendance: 26,267

References

  1. ^ a b "Ian Flanagan Appointed Munster Rugby CEO". Munster Rugby. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Michael Carroll Elected Munster Rugby President". Munster Rugby. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Munster Rugby | 1st Team Squad". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Munster Rugby Confirm Academy Squad For 2024/25". Munster Rugby. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  5. ^ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  6. ^ "WATCH: Munster Rugby edge Connacht in thrilling 10-try URC interpro derby at Thomond Park", limericklive, 22 Sep 2024
  7. ^ "Impresa Zebre! Munster Fermato 42-33 Al Lanfranchi", Zebre Parma, 29 Sep 2024
  8. ^ "Munster make the most of harsh conditions to get back to winning ways in Cork", The Irish Times, 5 Oct 2024
  9. ^ "Leinster secure bonus point win over misfiring Munster in front of URC record attendance", Irish Examiner, 12 October
  10. ^ a b "Munster Rugby Fixtures & Results"
  11. ^ a b "Munster Fixtures & Results"
  12. ^ Munster Rugby Fixtures & Results
  13. ^ "Pool Tables | Investec Champions Cup". www.epcrugby.com. European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  1. ^ Thomond Park's official capacity is 25,600 but can be expanded up to 26,276 with temporary seating.