2022–23 Munster Rugby season

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2022–23 Munster Rugby season
Ground(s)Thomond Park (Capacity: 25,600)[note 1]
Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,008)
ChairmanGerry O'Shea
CEOIan Flanagan
PresidentGer McNamara
Coach(es)Graham Rowntree
Captain(s)Peter O'Mahony
Most appearances
Two players
Top scorerJoey Carbery (124)
Most triesGavin Coombes (14)
League(s)United Rugby Championship
2022–23 United Rugby ChampionshipChampions
3rd, Irish Shield
(5th overall)
← 2021–22 2023–24 →

The 2022–23 Munster Rugby season was Munster's twenty-second season competing in the United Rugby Championship, alongside which they competed in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was Graham Rowntree's first season as head coach following his promotion.[1]

Events[edit]

Head coach Johann van Graan, who joined Munster in November 2017, confirmed in December 2021 that he would be leaving the province at the end of the 2021–22 season to join English club Bath. In addition to this, senior coach Stephen Larkham also left the province to return home to Australia to become head coach of the Brumbies, and defence coach JP Ferreira followed van Graan to join Bath. However, forwards coach Graham Rowntree extended his stay with the province by a further two years,[2] and the province confirmed in April 2022 that Rowntree would be promoted to head coach from the 2022–23 season.[1] Mike Prendergast, a former scrum-half for the province, joined Rowntree's coaching setup as the attack coach on a three-year contract, having most recently fulfilled a similar role for French club Racing 92.[3] Andi Kyriacou, who had joined the province in April 2021 as an elite player development officer with the academy, was promoted to forwards coach with the senior squad on a two-year contract,[4] and former Munster player Denis Leamy returned to the province as defence coach on a three-year contract.[5] Three additions were also made to the academy staff, with former players Brendan O'Connor and Tommy O'Donnell joining as elite player development officers and Matt Brown joining as pathway development coach.[6]

In player news, Munster's marquee signing ahead of the commencement of the season was centre Malakai Fekitoa, who won the 2015 Rugby World Cup with New Zealand before reverting his international allegiance to his native Tonga.[7] Irish-qualified hooker Chris Moore joined from Exeter University,[8] and five players were promoted from the academy to the senior squad: hooker Scott Buckley,[9] lock Paddy Kelly,[8] back-rower Alex Kendellen,[10] lock Eoin O'Connor,[8] and scrum-half Paddy Patterson.[8] Centre Antoine Frisch, who is Irish-qualified, also joined the province from English club Bristol Bears.[11] Six players joined year one of Munster's academy programme ahead of the season: props Darragh McSweeney and Kieran Ryan, lock Evan O'Connell, back-row Ruadhán Quinn, scrum-half Jack Oliver and centre Fionn Gibbons.[12]

Hooker Declan Moore left the province to join Ulster on a permanent basis, having spent time on loan at the northern province during the previous season.[13] Fly-half Jake Flannery joined Moore in moving north to Ulster,[14] whilst lock Jason Jenkins moved east to join Leinster after an injury-disrupted season at Munster,[15] and fullback Matt Gallagher and flanker Chris Cloete joined former head coach Johann van Graan at Bath.[16][17] Veteran prop John Ryan left to join English club Wasps,[18] and hooker Kevin O'Byrne joined English RFU Championship club Ealing Trailfinders.[19] Centre Alex McHenry and back-three Seán French left the province to join English Championship clubs Jersey Reds[20] and Bedford Blues[21] respectively, whilst scrum-half Rowan Osborne and academy back-three Jonathan Wren were both forced to retire due to injury,[22] and South African world cup-winning centre Damian de Allende returned to Japanese domestic rugby with Saitama Wild Knights.[23] Centre Chris Farrell was released from his contract with the province in early March 2023 to join French club Oyonnax,[24] with prop James French and centre Dan Goggin also being released by the province in March 2023 to pursue a new playing opportunities.[25][26]

Munster were drawn in pool B for the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup and faced French club Toulouse, who have won the competition a record five times and have knocked Munster out of tournament in the previous two seasons, and English club Northampton Saints, who beat Munster in the 2000 Heineken Cup Final and last faced the province during the 2011–12 Heineken Cup pool stage.[27]

Munster began pre-season with a 28–19 defeat at home to English club Gloucester on 26 August 2022.[28] The following day, after the GAA Central Council unanimously backed the proposal, Munster confirmed they would face a South Africa XV in a friendly held at Cork GAA's 45,000-capacity Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 10 November 2022. It would be the first time Munster have faced a South African national team in the professional era - their last such meeting was in 1970 - and would also see former Munster coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber return to the province for the first time since their departure in 2017.[29] Munster's second and final pre-season fixture was a 19–14 defeat to London Irish on 2 September 2022.[30]

Munster opened their 2022–23 United Rugby Championship season with a 20–13 defeat away to Cardiff on 17 September 2022. Cardiff lead 12–6 at half-time, with Ben Healy scoring Munster's points from two penalties, before a 62nd minute try from Jack O'Sullivan, converted by Jack Crowley, gave Munster a 13–12 lead. Cardiff's lead was restored by a 68th minute penalty from Jarrod Evans and Aled Summerhill's 77th minute try sealed the home sides win. New signings Malakai Fekitoa and Antoine Frisch made their competitive debuts for the province in the fixture.[31]

After a mounting number of injuries sustained prior to round seven of the United Rugby Championship, prop John Ryan returned to the province to provide tighthead prop cover on a three-month contract, having been made redundant following Wasps administration, Irish-qualified centre Oli Morris joined for the remainder of the season following Worcester Warriors administration,[32] and lock Kiran McDonald joined on a three-month contract having also been made redundant at Wasps.[33] After finishing his contract at the end of January 2023, Ryan will move to New Zealand to join Super Rugby team the Chiefs.[34]

Munster's historic friendly against a South Africa XV went ahead on 10 November 2022. The match was a 41,400 sell-out at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, making it the largest attendance for a rugby match in the province, and saw Munster secure their first ever win against South Africa in a 28–14 victory. Winger Shane Daly opened the scoring in just the 2nd minute, with fly-half Ben Healy converting to give the home side a 7–0 lead. South Africa hit back in the 12th minute through an Aphelele Fassi try that was converted by Johan Goosen to level the score, but Munster struck back with tries from Simon Zebo and Diarmuid Barron, both converted by Healy, to head into half-time with a 21–7. Munster struck early in the second-half, with fullback Mike Haley scoring after just two minutes and Healy's fourth conversion of the night extending their lead to 28–7. South Africa scored their second try in the 62nd minute when Sikhumbuzo Notshe crossed the try-line, converted by Gianni Lombard, but the visitors were unable to mount a comeback and Munster hung on to earn a famous win.[35][36]

Munster opened their 2022–23 Champions Cup campaign with an 18–13 defeat at home to French club Toulouse on 11 December 2022. Munster took the lead in the 9th minute through a Joey Carbery try (Munster's 500th in European competitive rugby), which the fly-half also converted, before Toulouse responded with a Matthis Lebel try in the 22nd minute, converted by Thomas Ramos, before a penalty from Ramos in the 29th minute extended the visitors lead, though a Carbery penalty in the 38th minute saw the teams level at 10–10 at half-time. Toulouse struck almost immediately in the second-half, with replacement Lucas Tauzin scoring a try in the 42nd minute. Ramos missed the conversion but scored a 71st minute penalty to extend Toulouse's lead to eight points, but a second successful penalty from Carbery in the 74th minute brought Munster back to within losing bonus-point range, but the province was unable to take advantage of an Antoine Dupont yellow card in the final minutes of the game.[37]

A huge defensive effort secured a 17–6 away win against Northampton Saints in round two of the Champions Cup on 18 December 2022. Number eight Gavin Coombes opened the scoring for Munster with a 13th minute try converted by fly-half Joey Carbery, before the home side got on the scoreboard with a 19th minute penalty. Carbery scored a penalty of his own in the 26th minute, though Northampton hit back with their second penalty just two minutes later. Coombes crossed for his and Munster's second try in the 35th minute, again converted by Carbery, to leave the score at 17–6 at half-time. Munster had three players sin-binned during the second-half: Jack O'Donoghue, Craig Casey and Joey Carbery, and needed the aforementioned defensive effort to keep Northampton from narrowing the score and earn a hard-fought victory on the road.[38]

In the reverse fixture against Northampton Saints on 14 January 2023, Munster raced to a 24–0 half-time lead thanks to two tries from Gavin Coombes and one try from Jack O'Donoghue, all converted by Joey Carbery, who also added one penalty, though O'Donoghue was sent-off for a high tackle during the half. What looked like a comfortable victory turned into a tense finish however, when Northampton mounted a comeback during the second-half, scoring 20 unanswered points to come within a try of winning the game themselves, but a 75th minute penalty from Jack Crowley and some last-gasp defence secured the victory for Munster.[39]

Munster's fourth and final Champions Cup pool stage fixture was away to Toulouse on 22 January 2023. The French club dominated possession and territory during the opening quarter of the match and were 11–0 ahead before Munster grew into the game. Flanker John Hodnett got Munster on the scoreboard with an unconverted 30th minute try, before a penalty from fly-half Joey Carbery saw the teams head into half-time with the score at 11–8. A superb team try finished by lock Tadhg Beirne in the 48th minute, again unconverted, gave Munster a slender 13–11 lead, but three second-half penalties from Toulouse fullback Melvyn Jaminet secured a closely-fought 20–16 win for the hosts.[40]

That result and others meant that Munster faced an away trip to South African side the Sharks in the last 16.[41] The hosts opened the scoring with an early penalty from Curwin Bosch, but Munster hit back with a try from Shane Daly, converted by Jack Crowley, to take the lead. Sharks struck back with a try of their own from Jaden Hendrikse, and each team scored one more try during the first-half - Eben Etzebeth for the Sharks and Dave Kilcoyne for Munster - to leave the score finely poised at 17–14 at half-time, however, the Sharks scored four unanswered tries - two from Bongi Mbonambi and one each from Werner Kok and Curwin Bosch - to storm into the lead. Munster managed three further tries from Diarmuid Barron, Mike Haley and Fineen Wycherley, but with the scoreboard and time against them, the result was beyond doubt and the Sharks advanced to the quarter-finals.[42]

A 26–24 win against defending champions the Stormers[43] and a 22–22 draw against the Sharks in Munster's final two fixtures of the regular 2022–23 United Rugby Championship season, both away from home, secured fifth place for the province in the league table,[44] and they defeated Glasgow Warriors 14–5 away in the quarter-finals to set up a semi-final away to Leinster,[45] whom Munster defeated 16–15 thanks to a late drop goal from Jack Crowley, setting up a final away to the Stormers on 27 May 2023,[46] which Munster won 19–14 thanks to a late John Hodnett try to secure their fourth league title, their first trophy since the 2010–11 season and the first silverware of head coach Graham Rowntree's reign.[47]

Player movements[edit]

Below are the players who joined and left the Munster senior and academy squads ahead of the 2022–23 season. Italics indicates players that transferred during the 2022–23 season.

Senior squad[edit]

Academy squad[edit]

Coaches and staff[edit]

Senior squad

Position Name Nationality
Head coach Graham Rowntree  England
Attack coach Mike Prendergast  Ireland
Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou  England
Defence coach Denis Leamy  Ireland
Team manager Niall O'Donovan  Ireland
Head of athletic performance Ged McNamara  Ireland
Strength and conditioning coach Adam Sheehan  Ireland
Head of medical Jamie Kearns  Ireland
Lead physiotherapist Damien Mordan  Ireland
Physiotherapist Keith Thornhill  Ireland
Physiotherapist Ray McGinley  Ireland
Lead performance analyst George Murray  Ireland
Performance analyst Paul O'Brien  Ireland

Academy squad

Position Name
Academy manager Ian Costello
Elite player development officer Brendan O'Connor
Elite player development officer Tommy O'Donnell
Elite player development officer Greig Oliver
Pathway development coach Matt Brown
Provincial talent coach Mark Butler
Lead academy athletic development coach Danielle Cunningham
Academy performance analyst Elliot Corcoran
Academy physio Shane Malone
Academy performance nutritionist Clare Farrell
Mental skills coach Cathal Sheridan

Players[edit]

For a full list of player movements before or during the 2022–23 season, see List of 2022–23 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Senior squad[edit]

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.[48]

Academy squad[edit]

Munster Rugby academy squad

Props

Hookers

  • None at present

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Back three

(c) denotes the team captain, 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.[49]

Pre-season[edit]

26 August 2022
19:30
Munster Ireland19–28England Gloucester
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,376
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU)
2 September 2022
19:30
Munster Ireland14–19England London Irish
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,316
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

Friendly[edit]

10 November 2022
19:30
Munster Ireland28–14South Africa South Africa XV
Try: S. Daly 2' c
Zebo 28' c
Barron 38' c
Haley 42' c
Con: Healy (4/4) 4', 30', 39', 43'		ReportTry: Fassi 12' c
Notshe 62' c
Con: Goosen (1/1) 14'
Lombard (1/1) 62'
Páirc Uí Chaoimh[29]
Attendance: 41,400
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)

2022–23 United Rugby Championship[edit]

Main article: 2022–23 United Rugby Championship
2022–23 United Rugby Championship watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Ireland Leinster 18 16 1 1 580 363 +217 82 42 13 0 79
2 Ireland Ulster 18 13 0 5 554 378 +176 79 45 12 4 68
3 South Africa Stormers (RU) 18 12 2 4 531 391 +140 69 48 13 3 68
4 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 18 13 0 5 498 403 +95 72 53 11 0 63
5 Ireland Munster (CH) 18 10 1 7 470 357 +113 61 43 9 4 55
6 South Africa Bulls 18 10 0 8 613 448 +165 78 52 11 2 53
7 Ireland Connacht 18 10 0 8 456 426 +30 64 58 7 3 50
8 South Africa Sharks 18 9 1 8 486 480 +6 63 61 8 2 48
9 South Africa Lions 18 9 0 9 454 538 –84 55 75 7 2 45
10 Wales Cardiff 18 9 0 9 425 470 –45 52 64 6 2 44
11 Italy Benetton 18 8 0 10 440 533 –93 56 74 8 1 41
12 Scotland Edinburgh 18 6 0 12 466 467 –1 70 62 8 6 38
13 Wales Ospreys 18 5 2 11 400 514 –114 52 70 6 5 35
14 Wales Scarlets 18 6 1 11 435 506 –71 55 65 5 3 34
15 Wales Dragons 18 4 0 14 391 534 –143 46 70 5 3 24
16 Italy Zebre Parma 18 0 0 18 343 734 –391 50 105 6 5 11
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[50]
  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 playoff places that top their regional pools and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup

Blue background indicates teams that did not top their regional pool but are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup
Pink background indicates teams that did not top their regional pool but are in play-off places, and earn a place in the 2023–24 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates teams that top their regional pool and thus currently in a qualification place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2023–24 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.

2022–23 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield Pools view · watch · edit · discuss
Ireland Irish Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
1 Ireland Leinster (S) 18 16 1 1 580 363 +217 84 50 13 0 79
2 Ireland Ulster 18 13 0 5 554 378 +176 79 45 12 4 68
3 Ireland Munster 18 10 1 7 470 357 +113 61 43 9 4 55
4 Ireland Connacht 18 10 0 8 456 426 +30 64 58 7 3 50
Italy Scotland Scottish/Italian Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
1 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (S) 18 12 0 6 498 403 +95 72 53 11 0 63
2 Italy Benetton 18 8 0 10 440 533 –93 56 74 8 1 41
3 Scotland Edinburgh 18 6 0 12 466 467 -1 70 62 8 6 38
4 Italy Zebre Parma 18 0 0 18 343 734 –391 50 105 6 5 11
South Africa South African Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
1 South Africa Stormers (S) 18 12 2 4 531 391 +140 69 48 13 3 68
2 South Africa Bulls 18 10 0 8 613 448 +165 78 52 11 2 53
3 South Africa Sharks 18 9 1 8 486 480 +6 63 61 8 2 48
4 South Africa Lions 18 9 0 9 454 538 –84 55 75 7 2 45
Wales Welsh Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
1 Wales Cardiff (S) 18 9 0 9 425 470 –45 52 64 6 2 44
2 Wales Ospreys 18 5 2 11 400 514 –114 52 70 6 5 35
3 Wales Scarlets 18 6 1 11 435 506 –71 55 65 5 3 34
4 Wales Dragons 18 4 0 14 391 534 –143 46 70 5 3 24
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[51]
  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 currently leading the Regional Shield, and leading the race for a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup

(S) indicates teams has won the Regional Shield, and thus guaranteed a place in the 2023–24 European Champions Cup

Round 1[edit]

17 September 2022
15:05
Cardiff Wales20–13Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Llewellyn 3' m
Dacey 37' c
Summerhill 77' m
Con: J. Evans (1/3) 38'
Pen: J. Evans (1/1) 68'		ReportTry: O'Sullivan 62' c
Con: Crowley (1/1) 63'
Pen: Healy (2/2) 17', 30'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,434
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Round 2[edit]

25 September 2022
15:00
Dragons Wales23–17Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Dyer 71' m
Pen: Hanrahan (6/7) 9', 15', 22', 26', 34', 80'		ReportTry: Archer 36' c
Healy 39' c
Con: Healy (2/2) 36', 40'
Pen: Healy (1/1) 2'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,269
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

Round 3[edit]

1 October 2022
17:05
Munster Ireland21–5Italy Zebre Parma
Try: N. Scannell (2) 8' c, 24' c
Knox 17' c
Con: Healy (3/3) 8', 18', 25'		ReportTry: Pani 44' m
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 6,485
Referee: AJ Jacobs (SARU)

Round 4[edit]

7 October 2022
19:35
Connacht Ireland20–11Ireland Munster
Try: Hansen 7' m
Bealham 53' m
Boyle 78' c
Con: Fitzgerald (1/1) 79'
Pen: Fitzgerald (1/1) 61'		ReportTry: Campbell 23' m
Pen: Healy (2/2) 39', 47'
The Sportsground
Attendance: 7,512
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

Round 5[edit]

15 October 2022
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland31–17South Africa Bulls
Try: G. Coombes (2) 28' c, 35' c
Loughman 42' c
Beirne 61' c
Con: Carbery (4/4) 29', 36', 43', 62'
Pen: Carbery (1/1) 21'		ReportTry: WJ Steenkamp 50' c
Kriel 64' c
Con: C. Smith (2/2) 51', 65'
Pen: Goosen (1/1) 10'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 12,218
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Round 6[edit]

22 October 2022
17:15
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland27–13Ireland Munster
Try: Penny 27' c
Sheehan 49' c
McGrath 61' m
Russell 76' m
Con: Sexton (2/3) 28', 50'
Pen: Sexton (1/2) 57'		ReportTry: L. Coombes 45' c
Con: Carbery (1/1) 46'
Pen: Carbery (2/3) 21', 33'
Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 45,436
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Round 7[edit]

29 October 2022
17:15
(1 BP) Munster Ireland14–15Ireland Ulster
Try: S. Daly 65' m
Pen: Crowley (3/3) 9', 47', 53'		ReportTry: Murphy 3' m
Stewart 13' m
Hume 40' m
Thomond Park
Attendance: 15,260
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

Round 8[edit]

26 November 2022
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland24–17Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Nash 11' m
Salanoa 36' m
J. Ryan 58' c
N. Scannell 65' c
Con: Carbery (2/4) 59', 66'		ReportTry: Ralston 26' c
Marmion 73' c
Con: Carty (2/2) 27', 73'
Pen: Carty (1/1) 9'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 16,725
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Round 9[edit]

2 December 2022
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland17–38Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Dean 2' c
Graham 13' m
Ritchie 35' m
Con: Kinghorn (1/3) 3'		ReportTry: Casey 23' c
R. Scannell 39' c
Nash 41' c
G. Coombes 52' c
Carbery 79' c
Con: Carbery (5/5) 24', 40', 42', 53', 80'
Pen: Carbery (1/1) 64'
DAM Health Stadium
Attendance: 7,339
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)

Round 10[edit]

26 December 2022
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland19–20Ireland Leinster
Try: G. Coombes 30' c
Penalty try 43'
Campbell 63' m
Con: Carbery (1/2) 30'		ReportTry: Penny 44' c
Sheehan 53' c
Con: R. Byrne (2/2) 44', 54'
Pen: R. Byrne (2/3) 2', 19'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 25,600
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

Round 11[edit]

1 January 2023
17:15
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland14–15Ireland Munster
Try: Baloucoune 67' m
Pen: Cooney (3/3) 15', 19', 24'		ReportTry: Patterson 43' m
Healy 79' c
Con: Healy (1/1) 80'
Pen: Healy (1/1) 73'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 16,672
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Round 12[edit]

6 January 2023
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland33–3South Africa Lions
Try: Buckley (2) 9' m, 79' c
O'Donoghue 28' c
Patterson 48' c
L. Coombes 74' c
Con: Healy (4/5) 30', 49', 76', 80'+1		ReportPen: Hendrikse (1/1) 5'
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,008
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)

Round 13[edit]

28 January 2023
14:30
(1 BP) Benetton Italy30–40Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Zanon 6' m
Mendy (3) 12' c, 57' m, 80'+1 c
Con: Umaga (2/4) 13', 80'+2
Pen: Umaga (2/2) 39', 46'		ReportTry: Patterson 16' c
O'Sullivan 30' c
Hodnett 42' c
Kleyn 49' c
Frisch 71' m
Carbery 76' c
Con: Carbery (5/6) 17', 31', 43', 51', 77'
Stadio Monigo
Attendance: 4,082
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU)

Round 14[edit]

17 February 2023
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland58–3Wales Ospreys
Try: G. Coombes (3), 14' c, 52' c, 79' c
Feikitoa 18' m
Frisch 29' m
Carbery 36' c
Patterson 41' m
Zebo 62' m
S. Daly 67' c
Con: Carbery (5/9) 15', 37', 53', 68', 79'
Pen: Carbery (1/1) 12'		ReportPen: Myler (1/1) 3'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 14,082
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Round 15[edit]

3 March 2023
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland49–42Wales Scarlets (2 BP)
Try: Campbell 2' c
Nash (2) 12' c, 64' c
S. Daly (2) 23' c, 40'+1 c
Patterson 26' c
G. Coombes 49' c
Con: Carbery (6/6) 3', 12', 24', 27', 40'+1, 49'
Crowley (1/1) 65'		ReportTry: Roberts 34' c
Fifita 45' c
Kalamafoni 53' c
Lousi 60' c
G. Davies 70' c
Rogers 76' c
Con: Costelow (6/6) 35', 46', 54', 60', 71', 77'
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,008
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU)

Round 16[edit]

25 March 2023
17:15
(1 BP) Munster Ireland26–38Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: G. Coombes 53' c
Casey 57' c
J. Wycherley 70' c
Nash 77' m
Con: Carbery (2/2) 53', 57'
Crowley (1/2) 70'		ReportTry: F. Brown 5' c
McDowall 24' c
Miotti 31' c
Forbes 39' c
Vailanu 60' c
Con: Miotti (5/5) 6', 25', 32', 40', 62'
Drop: Miotti (1/1) 44'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 17,097
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Round 17[edit]

15 April 2023
17:15
(2 BP) Stormers South Africa24–26Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Malherbe 29' m
Nel (2) 40'+3, 80'+1
Kitshoff 65' c
Con: Libbok (2/4) 40'+3, 80'+1		ReportTry: Barron (2) 1' c, 21' m
S. Daly 57' c
G. Coombes 73' c
Con: Crowley (1/2) 2'
Healy (2/2) 58', 74'
DHL Stadium
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)

Round 18[edit]

22 April 2023
17:15
Sharks South Africa22–22Ireland Munster
Try: Mbonambi 5' m
Kok 28' c
Notshe 38' c
Con: Bosch (1/2) 30'
Chamberlain (1/1) 39'
Pen: Chamberlain (1/1) 43'		ReportTry: Penalty try 47'
Nash 53' m
Murray 64' c
Con: Healy (1/2) 65'
Pen: Crowley (1/1) 15'
Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Quarter-final[edit]

6 May 2023
19:35
Glasgow Warriors Scotland5–14Ireland Munster
Try: Steyn 66' mReportTry: Fekitoa 22' c
Frisch 27' c
Con: Crowley (2/2) 23', 28'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 6,943
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Semi-final[edit]

13 May 2023
17:30
Leinster Ireland15–16Ireland Munster
Try: Jenkins 37' c
J. McCarthy 62' m
Con: H. Byrne (1/1) 39'
Pen: H. Byrne (1/1) 1'		ReportTry: Beirne 45' c
Con: Crowley (1/1) 46'
Pen: Healy (2/2) 10', 23'
Drop: Crowley (1/1) 77'
Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 26,795
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

Final[edit]

Main article: 2023 United Rugby Championship final
27 May 2023
17:30
Stormers South Africa14–19Ireland Munster
Try: Libbok 5' c
Fourie 49' c
Con: Libbok (2/2) 6', 50'		ReportTry: Barron 9' m
Nash 28' c
Hodnett 74' c
Con: Crowley (2/3) 30', 76'
DHL Stadium
Attendance: 56,100
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup[edit]

Main article: 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup

Following their sixth-placed finish in the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship, Munster were seeded in tier three for the 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup.[52] The province was drawn in pool B and will face French club Toulouse and English club Northampton Saints.[27]

2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool B
Team
 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
France La Rochelle 4 4 0 0 120 57 +63 15 7 2 0 18
France Toulouse 4 4 0 0 110 53 +57 12 7 1 0 17
South Africa Stormers 4 3 0 1 106 68 +38 13 7 3 0 15
England Leicester Tigers 4 3 0 1 116 89 +27 11 10 1 1 14
Wales Ospreys 4 3 0 1 100 88 +12 12 10 1 1 14
Ireland Munster 4 2 0 2 73 67 +6 8 5 0 2 10
France Montpellier 4 1 1 2 92 104 –12 13 13 2 1 9
Ireland Ulster 4 1 0 3 54 93 –39 7 11 1 2 7
France Clermont 4 1 0 3 85 111 –26 8 12 1 1 6
England Sale Sharks 4 1 0 3 74 94 –20 11 12 1 0 5
England London Irish 4 0 1 3 76 115 –39 10 15 0 1 3
England Northampton Saints 4 0 0 4 54 121 –67 5 16 0 1 1
Green background (rows 1 to 8) indicates qualification places for the Champions Cup round of 16.
Blue background (rows 9 to 10) indicates qualification places for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Starting table — source: European Professional Club Rugby


Round 1[edit]

11 December 2022
15:15
(1 BP) Munster Ireland13–18France Toulouse
Try: Carbery 9' c
Con: Carbery (1/1) 10'
Pen: Carbery (2/3) 38', 74'		ReportTry: Lebel 22' c
Tauzin 42' m
Con: Ramos (1/2) 23'
Pen: Ramos (2/3) 29', 71'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 21,884
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)

Round 2[edit]

18 December 2022
13:00
Northampton Saints England6–17Ireland Munster
Pen: F. Smith (2/2) 19', 28'ReportTry: G. Coombes (2) 13' c, 35' c
Con: Carbery (2/2) 14', 36'
Pen: Carbery (1/1) 26'
cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens
Attendance: 13,220
Referee: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (FFR)

Round 3[edit]

14 January 2023
15:15
Munster Ireland27–23England Northampton Saints (1 BP)
Try: G. Coombes (2) 8' c, 28' c
O'Donoghue 19' c
Con: Carbery (3/3) 9', 20', 29'
Pen: Carbery (1/1) 1'
Crowley (1/1) 75'		ReportTry: Freeman 44' c
Ramm 55' c
Con: F. Smith (2/2) 46', 56'
Pen: F. Smith (3/3) 49', 70', 78'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 22,295
Referee: Tual Trainini (FFR)

Round 4[edit]

22 January 2023
15:15
Toulouse France20–16Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Try: Mallía 7' m
Pen: Jaminet (5/5) 1', 16', 57', 66', 73'		ReportTry: Hodnett 30' m
Beirne 48' m
Pen: Carbery (1/1) 35'
Healy (1/1) 59'
Stade Ernest-Wallon
Attendance: 18,754
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)

Last 16[edit]

1 April 2023
12:30
Sharks South Africa50–35Ireland Munster
Try: Hendrikse 15' c
Etzebeth 24' c
Mbonambi (2) 44' c, 48' m
Kok 53' c
Bosch 57' c
Mapimpi 63' c
Con: Bosch (6/7) 17', 24', 45', 54', 58', 64'
Pen: Bosch (1/2) 4'		ReportTry: S. Daly 5' c
Kilcoyne 31' c
Barron 60' c
Haley 68' c
F. Wycherley 77' c
Con: Crowley (5/5) 6', 33', 61', 69', 78'
Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Attendance: 27,987
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

2022–23 Munster A/Development season[edit]

Friendlies

17 September 2022
13:30
Munster A Ireland7–26Ireland Connacht Eagles
University of Limerick
24 September 2022
15:00
Munster Development XV Ireland12–43Ireland Leinster A
University of Limerick
30 December 2022
13:00
Munster Development XV Ireland26–40Ireland Ireland U20
Report
Musgrave Park
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
28 April 2023
14:00
Munster A Ireland19–26Ireland Ulster A
Report
IRFU High Performance Centre, Dublin

Player statistics[edit]

Player statistics from the 2022–23 season. Stats from the league and European competitions only are shown. Academy players in italics. Updated 28 May 2023 after URC final

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Graham Rowntree Confirmed As Next Munster Head Coach". Munster Rugby. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Peter O'Mahony admits coaching uncertainty 'not ideal'". Irish Examiner. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  3. ^ "'A family choice' - Mike Prendergast joins Rowntree at Munster". The42. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Andi Kyriacou confirmed as Munster forwards coach under Rowntree". The42. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Denis Leamy to return to Munster as defence coach". Irish Examiner. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Three New Appointments To Munster Academy". Munster Rugby. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Malakai Fekitoa To Join Munster Rugby". Munster Rugby. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Three Academy Players Stepping Up & New Addition". Munster Rugby. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Key Players Continue To Commit To Munster Rugby". Munster Rugby. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Six Munster Players Sign Two-Year Contract Extensions". Munster Rugby. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Munster confirm signing of Irish-qualified Antoine Frisch on three-year-deal". The42. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Six Players To Join Greencore Munster Rugby Academy". Munster Rugby. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Shanahan, Postlethwaite and Moxham commit to Ulster as Moore signs on". Ulster Rugby. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Ulster announce signing of Munster fly-half Jake Flannery on one-year deal". Belfast Telegraph. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Leinster confirm signing of South African international from Munster". The42. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Joe Maddock returns to Bath as attack coach as club signs three new players". BBC Sport. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Cloete the latest to swap Munster for Bath next season". RTÉ Sport. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  18. ^ a b "John Ryan: Wasps sign Ireland prop from Munster for 2022-23 season". BBC Sport. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Kevin O'Byrne To Depart Munster Rugby For Ealing". Munster Rugby. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Red quintet of new signingsbrings Reds'squad close to completion". Jersey Reds. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Seán French heads across the Irish Sea to join Bedford". Bedford Rugby. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  22. ^ a b c "Munster Rugby Departing Players Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Bok duo complete move to Japan". SA Rugby Magazine. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Squad Update | Preparations Begin For Glasgow At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Hurley signs professional contract and Moore extends Munster deal". The42. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Dan Goggin Departs Munster Rugby". Munster Rugby. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Champions Cup Opposition | Toulouse & Northampton". Munster Rugby. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  28. ^ "Report | Munster Lose Pre-Season Opener". Munster Rugby. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  29. ^ a b "GAA give green light for Páirc Uí Chaoimh to host Munster-South Africa rugby fixture". The42. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  30. ^ "Report | Narrow Defeat For Munster To London Irish". Munster Rugby. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Report | Munster Beaten In Cardiff". Munster Rugby. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  32. ^ a b c "Player Contract Extensions & New Signings". Munster Rugby. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Kiran McDonald Joins Munster On Short-Term Deal". Munster Rugby. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Chiefs sign Irish prop John Ryan to replace injured All Black Angus Ta'avao". Stuff. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  35. ^ "Report | Munster Secure Historic Victory Over SA Select XV". Munster Rugby. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  36. ^ "'That is going to give us a shot in the arm' - Rowntree savours Springbok scalp". Irish Examiner. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  37. ^ "Munster fall to Toulouse at Thomond in Champions Cup opener". Irish Examiner. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  38. ^ "Report | Munster Overcome Northampton At Franklin's Gardens". Munster Rugby. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  39. ^ "Report | 14-Man Munster Survive Against Saints". Munster Rugby. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  40. ^ "Report | Narrow Defeat For Munster In Toulouse". Munster Rugby. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Munster will travel to South Africa for the Champions Cup round-of-16". The42. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Graham Rowntree: Munster let themselves down against Sharks". Irish Examiner. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  43. ^ "Report | Superb Munster Beat Stormers In Cape Town". Munster Rugby. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Report | Munster Secure 5th-Place After Sharks Draw". Munster Rugby. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Report | Munster Beat Glasgow To Earn Semi-Final Place". Munster Rugby. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  46. ^ "Munster clinch thrilling one-point win over Leinster to earn URC final spot". Irish Examiner. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  47. ^ "Magical Munster see off Stormers to win URC title and end trophy drought". Irish Examiner. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Munster Rugby | 1st Team Squad". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  49. ^ "Munster Rugby | Academy Squad". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  50. ^ Competition Rule 3.1.4 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  51. ^ Competition Rule 3.1.4 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  52. ^ "EPCR Pool Draws For 2022/23 Season". Munster Rugby. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Thomond Park's official capacity is 25,600 but can be expanded up to 26,276 with temporary seating.
  2. ^ Healy made his debut for Scotland on 18 March 2023, thereby changing his World Rugby-recognised affiliation from Irish to Scottish.

External links[edit]

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