Ulster end champions Munster's unbeaten start

MATCH REPORT: Tries in either half from Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney allowed Ulster to battle back from 14-3 down to beat Munster 21-14 in the United Rugby Championship.

In a game in which hooker Rob Herring made his record breaking 230th Ulster appearance, Ulster’s bench had the edge for them in a closely-fought game with Herring joined by Iain Henderson, John Cooney and new cap Scott Wilson in having a big impact in the second half.

Nathan Doak contributed a conversion and three penalties to securing the win with Ulster’s defence holding firm in a pulsating finish to the game.

Craig Casey scored two tries in the first half for reigning champions Munster, with Jack Crowley converting both.

Casey scuttled over the Ulster line after just eight minutes after Munster had turned the screw on the home team’s scrum and forced several penalties.

Then on Ulster’s first visit to Munster’s line, Ethan McIlroy collided heavily with Shane Daly resulting in the Ulster player’s enforced departure and a yellow card for the visiting full-back.

The resulting penalty was slotted by Doak to get Ulster off the mark, but four minutes later 14-man Munster scored their second try as Casey again went over from close range.

On 26 minutes, Ulster finally produced an attack of note when Billy Burns’ cross-kick was collected by Stockdale who made the corner. Doak just missed the conversion from the difficult angle.

The half ended with no further score, though Ulster nearly put Stockdale away again, and the teams trooped off with Munster leading 14-8.

The new half was six minutes old when Munster were penalised within range of their posts and Doak kicked his second penalty to cut the visitors’ lead to three points.

Then three minutes after the hour, Doak nailed another penalty to tie things up after Munster were penalised for being offside following a strong carry from new cap Wilson.

Ulster, with subs Henderson and Herring making an impact, then cranked up the pressure and from a scrum, Timoney surged over the Munster line on 68 minutes to give the hosts the lead for the first time. Doak added an excellent conversion.

The home team then held out as Munster threw everything at their line, Herring winning the final turnover to secure the result.

Play of the Match

Jacob Stockdale’s first-half try was a superbly worked move. Stewart Moore’s grubber through was collected by Stockdale and Ulster then moved the ball right where David McCann had two powerful carries before Ulster then moved it left and Billy Burns’ cross-kick bounced and was then collected by Stockdale who made the left corner.

Player of the Match

Flank David McCann produced another excellent performance and was a thorn in Munster’s side, winning turnovers on the deck and disrupting the visitors’ lineout on several occasions. His tackling was immense, and he also produced some quality carries when required to get Ulster moving forward.

The scorers

For Ulster
Tries: Stockdale, Timoney
Con: Doak
Pens: Doak 3

For Munster
Tries: Casey 2
Cons: Crowley 2

Teams

Ulster: 15 Ethan McIlroy, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 Stewart Moore, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Marcus Rea, 6 David McCann, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Cormac Izuchukwu, 3 Greg McGrath, 2 Tom Stewart (captain), 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 John Cooney, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite.

Munster: 15 Shane Daly, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Seán O’Brien, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Alex Kendellen, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 John Ryan, 2 Diarmuid Barron (captain), 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Brian Gleeson, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Ben O’Connor

Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland) and Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Brian McNeice (Ireland)

Big win chat with Dan 🎤 pic.twitter.com/PzNXPpjlZZ

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) November 10, 2023