2018–19 Munster Rugby season

2018–19 Munster Rugby season
Ground(s) Thomond Park (Capacity: 25,600)
Irish Independent Park (Capacity: 8,008)
Coach(es) Johann van Graan
Captain(s) Peter O'Mahony
League(s) Pro14
← 2017–18 2019–20 →

The 2018–19 Munster Rugby season is Munster's eighteenth season competing in the Pro14, alongside which they will also compete in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It is Johann van Graan's second season as Head Coach and his first full season in the role, having joined partway through the previous season.[1]

Events

Munster played two pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2018–19 campaign, the first against London Irish, whose directory of rugby is former Munster and Ireland head coach Declan Kidney, and the second against Exeter Chiefs, which was be the first meeting between the two clubs.[2] Munster beat London Irish 32–28, but lost 12–0 against Exeter Chiefs.[3][4]

Drawn alongside French Top 14 champions Castres and English sides Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester, Munster will compete in Pool 2 of the 2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup.[5]

Munster opened their 2018–19 Pro14 season with a six-try 38–0 victory against South African side Cheetahs in Thomond Park on 1 September 2018. Rory Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Tommy O'Donnell, JJ Hanrahan, Dave O'Callaghan and Man-of-the-Match Darren Sweetnam scored the tries, with Hanrahan adding four conversions, in a match that saw Arno Botha, Mike Haley, Joey Carbery and academy players Shane Daly and Gavin Coombes make their competitive debuts for the province, whilst Neil Cronin also made his first appearance for Munster since March 2015.[6]

Tadhg Beirne made his debut for Munster in the provinces 25–10 defeat away to Glasgow Warriors on 7 September 2018.[7] Munster's 64–7 win against Ulster on 29 September 2018 was a record win for the province in the Pro14; Munster's previous record win being 47–0 against Zebre in 2016.[8] In round one of the 2018–19 Champions Cup on 13 October 2018, a try from CJ Stander and five points from the boot of Joey Carbery secured a 10–10 draw in Sandy Park against Exeter Chiefs, in a match in which Dan Goggin and Neil Cronin made their competitive European debuts, whilst Tadhg Beirne, who was Man-of-the-Match, Mike Haley and Joey Carbery made their European debuts for Munster.[9]

Coaching & Management Staff 2018–19

Position Name Nationality
Head Coach Johann van Graan  South Africa
Defence Coach JP Ferreira  South Africa
Backs & Attack Coach Felix Jones  Ireland
Forwards Coach Jerry Flannery  Ireland
Team Manager Niall O'Donovan  Ireland
Head of Athletic Performance Denis Logan  United States
Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach Aidan O'Connell  Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach Adam Sheehan  Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach PJ Wilson  Ireland
Performance Analyst George Murray  Ireland

Senior Playing Squad 2018–19

Munster player movements for the 2018–19 season. For a full list, see List of 2018–19 Pro14 transfers.

The Munster senior squad for 2018–19 is:[22]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Rhys Marshall Hooker New Zealand New Zealand
Kevin O'Byrne Hooker Ireland Ireland
Niall Scannell Hooker Ireland Ireland
Mike Sherry Hooker Ireland Ireland
Stephen Archer Prop Ireland Ireland
James Cronin Prop Ireland Ireland
Cronan Gleeson Prop Ireland Ireland
David Kilcoyne Prop Ireland Ireland
Jeremy Loughman Prop Ireland Ireland
Liam O'Connor Prop Ireland Ireland
Ciaran Parker* Prop England England
John Ryan Prop Ireland Ireland
Brian Scott Prop Ireland Ireland
Tadhg Beirne Lock Ireland Ireland
Billy Holland Lock Ireland Ireland
Jean Kleyn Lock South Africa South Africa
Darren O'Shea Lock Ireland Ireland
Fineen Wycherley Lock Ireland Ireland
Arno Botha Back row South Africa South Africa
Chris Cloete Back row South Africa South Africa
Dave O'Callaghan Back row Ireland Ireland
Tommy O'Donnell Back row Ireland Ireland
Jack O'Donoghue Back row Ireland Ireland
Conor Oliver Back row Ireland Ireland
Peter O'Mahony (c) Back row Ireland Ireland
CJ Stander Back row Ireland Ireland
Player Position Union
Neil Cronin Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
James Hart Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Alby Mathewson Scrum-half New Zealand New Zealand
Conor Murray Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Duncan Williams Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Tyler Bleyendaal* Fly-half New Zealand New Zealand
Joey Carbery Fly-half Ireland Ireland
J. J. Hanrahan Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Bill Johnston Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Ian Keatley Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Sam Arnold Centre Ireland Ireland
Chris Farrell Centre Ireland Ireland
Dan Goggin Centre Ireland Ireland
Rory Scannell Centre Ireland Ireland
Jaco Taute Centre South Africa South Africa
Andrew Conway Wing Ireland Ireland
Keith Earls Wing Ireland Ireland
Calvin Nash Wing Ireland Ireland
Ronan O'Mahony Wing Ireland Ireland
Darren Sweetnam Wing Ireland Ireland
Alex Wootton Wing Ireland Ireland
Stephen Fitzgerald Fullback Ireland Ireland
Michael Haley* Fullback England England
  • Internationally capped players in bold
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality *
  • Irish provinces are currently limited to four non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and one non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player").[23]
  • Notes:

    Pre-season

    17 August 2018
    19:30
    Munster Ireland 32–28 England London Irish
    Report[24]
    Irish Independent Park
    Attendance: 5,773
    24 August 2018
    19:30
    Munster Ireland 0–12 England Exeter Chiefs
    Report[25]
    Irish Independent Park
    Attendance: 5,948

    2018–19 Pro14

    Round 1

    1 September 2018
    17:15
    (1 BP) Munster Ireland 38–0 South Africa Cheetahs
    Try: Scannell 15' m
    Kilcoyne 30' c
    O'Donnell 52' m
    Hanrahan 65' c
    O'Callaghan 70' c
    Sweetnam 72' c
    Con: Hanrahan (4/6) 31', 66', 71', 73'
    		 Report[26]
    Thomond Park
    Attendance: 12,265
    Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)

    Round 2

    7 September 2018
    19:35
    Glasgow Warriors Scotland 25–10 Ireland Munster
    Try: Gibbins 22' m
    Hogg 28' c
    Ashe 35' c
    Con: Hogg (2/2) 29', 36'
    Pen: P. Horne (1/2) 14'
    Hogg (1/1) 72'
    		 Report[27] Try: Marshall 69' c
    Con: Carbery (1/1) 70'
    Pen: Hanrahan (1/1) 43'
    Scotstoun Stadium
    Attendance: 7,351
    Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

    Round 3

    14 September 2018
    19:35
    (1 BP) Munster Ireland 49–13 Wales Ospreys
    Try: Penalty try 15'
    Carbery 21' c
    Cronin 27' c
    Marshall (2) 40'+1 c, 42' c
    Botha 45' c
    Sweetnam 62' c
    Con: Carbery (5/5) 22', 28', 40'+2, 43', 46'
    Keatley (1/1) 63'
    		 Report[28] Try: Morgan 60' c
    Con: Davies (1/1) 61'
    Pen: Davies (2/2) 20', 26'
    Irish Independent Park
    Attendance: 8,008
    Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU)

    Round 4

    21 September 2018
    19:35
    (1 BP) Cardiff Blues Wales 37–13 Ireland Munster
    Try: N. Williams 6' c
    T. Williams (2) 16' c, 76' c
    Halaholo 44' c
    Con: Anscombe (3/4) 7', 17', 45', 77'
    Pen: Anscombe (3/3) 52', 63', 70'
    		 Report[29] Try: Conway (2) 10' m, 13' m
    Pen: Carbery (1/1) 23'
    Cardiff Arms Park
    Attendance: 7,284
    Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

    Round 5

    29 September 2018
    19:35
    (1 BP) Munster Ireland 64–7 Ireland Ulster
    Try: Goggin (2) 5' c, 37' c
    O'Donnell (2) 8' c, 30' m
    O'Mahony 50' c
    Carbery 62' c
    Arnold 66' c
    Earls 70' c
    Wootton 77' c
    Con: Carbery (5/6) 5', 9', 37', 51', 63
    Keatley (3/3) 67', 71', 78'
    Pen: Carbery (1/1) 16'
    		 Report[30] Try: Cave 46' c
    Con: Burns (1/1) 47'
    Thomond Park
    Attendance: 13,907
    Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)

    Round 6

    6 October 2018
    18:00
    Leinster Ireland 30–22 Ireland Munster
    Try: Penalty try 10'
    Lowe (2) 14' c, 44' c
    Con: Byrne (2/2) 15', 46'
    Pen: Byrne (3/3) 32', 40'+2, 69'
    		 Report[31] Try: Beirne 19' m
    Stander 27' c
    Mathewson 66' c
    Con: Carbery (2/3) 28', 67'
    Pen: Carbery (1/1) 55'
    Aviva Stadium
    Attendance: 50,120
    Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

    Round 7

    27 October 2018
    17:05
    Munster Ireland v Scotland Glasgow Warriors

    Round 8

    4 November 2018
    16:45
    Cheetahs South Africa v Ireland Munster

    Round 9

    25 November 2018
    16:30
    Zebre Italy v Ireland Munster

    Round 10

    30 November 2018
    19:35
    Munster Ireland v Scotland Edinburgh

    Round 11

    21 December 2018
    19:35
    Ulster Ireland v Ireland Munster

    Round 12

    29 December 2018
    17:15
    Munster Ireland v Ireland Leinster

    Round 13

    5 January 2019
    19:35
    Connacht Ireland v Ireland Munster

    Round 14

    26 January 2019
    15:00
    Dragons Wales v Ireland Munster

    Round 15

    Round 16

    22 February 2019
    19:35
    Ospreys Wales v Ireland Munster

    Round 17

    2 March 2019
    17:00
    Scarlets Wales v Ireland Munster

    Round 18

    22/23/24 March 2019
    TBC
    Munster Ireland v Italy Zebre

    Round 19

    Round 20

    12/13/14 April 2019
    TBC
    Benetton Italy v Ireland Munster

    Round 21

    26/27/28 April 2019
    TBC
    Munster Ireland v Ireland Connacht

    2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup

    Munster will face Castres, Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester in pool 2 of the 2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup. They were seeded in tier 3 following their fourth place finish overall and exit from the 2017–18 Pro14 season at the semi-finals stage.[5][32]

    Team
    		 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
    England Gloucester 11001914+511004
    England Exeter Chiefs 10101010+011002
    Ireland Munster 10101010+011002
    France Castres 10011419-511011

    [33]

    Round 1

    13 October 2018
    15:15
    Exeter Chiefs England 10–10 Ireland Munster
    Try: Cowan-Dickie 38' c
    Con: Steenson (1/1) 39'
    Pen: Steenson (1/1) 18'
    		 Report[34] Try: Stander 63' c
    Con: Carbery (1/1) 64'
    Pen: Carbery (1/1) 31'
    Sandy Park
    Attendance: 12,749
    Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)

    Round 2

    20 October 2018
    13:00
    Munster Ireland v England Gloucester

    Round 3

    9 December 2018
    13:00
    Munster Ireland v France Castres

    Round 4

    15 December 2018
    17:30
    Castres France v Ireland Munster

    Round 5

    11 January 2019
    19:45
    Gloucester England v Ireland Munster

    Round 6

    19 January 2019
    17:30
    Munster Ireland v England Exeter Chiefs

    References

    1. ↑ "Johann van Graan to join Munster as head coach" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
    2. ↑ "Munster To Host London Irish & Exeter Chiefs In August". Munster Rugby. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
    3. ↑ "Munster Edge Past London Irish In Cork". Munster Rugby. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
    4. ↑ "Match Report: Munster 0-12 Exeter Chiefs". Munster Rugby. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
    5. 1 2 "Tough Draw For Munster In Champions Cup". Munster Rugby. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
    6. ↑ "Match Report | Winning Start at Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
    7. ↑ "Report | Munster Fall To Defeat In Glasgow". Munster Rugby. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
    8. ↑ "Report | Record PRO14 Win For Munster Over Ulster". Munster Rugby. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
    9. ↑ "Report | Munster Draw Against Exeter Chiefs". Munster Rugby. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
    10. ↑ "Beirne To Join Munster". Munster Rugby. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
    11. 1 2 3 "Contract Signings". Munster Rugby. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
    12. ↑ "Munster Sign Mike Haley". Munster Rugby. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    13. ↑ "Player Contract Update". Munster Rugby. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
    14. ↑ "Munster Sign Arno Botha". Munster Rugby. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
    15. ↑ "Carbery Update". Munster Rugby. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
    16. ↑ "Munster Sign Alby Mathewson". Munster Rugby. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
    17. ↑ "Squad Update Pre-Ospreys". Munster Rugby. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
    18. ↑ "Simon Zebo: Racing 92 reveal signing of Munster back before Champions Cup game". BBC Sport. 10 January 2018.
    19. ↑ "Connacht Rugby announce signing of Robin Copeland". Connacht Rugby. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
    20. ↑ "David Johnston to sign from Munster Rugby". Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
    21. ↑ "South African lock Grobler links up with Cherry and Whites". Gloucester Rugby. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
    22. ↑ "Munster Rugby | 1st Team Squad". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
    23. ↑ "Not all rules are made to be broken". Irish Independent. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2018. Ireland's set-up demands a maximum of five NIEs - one of whom is a project player
    24. ↑ "Munster Edge Past London Irish In Cork". Munster Rugby. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
    25. ↑ "Match Report: Munster 0-12 Exeter Chiefs". Munster Rugby. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
    26. ↑ "Munster serve up six of the best to beat Cheetahs". GuinnessPro14. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
    27. ↑ "Hastings inspires Warriors to impressive victory at fortress Scotstoun". GuinnessPro14. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
    28. ↑ "Vibrant Munster power past the Ospreys". GuinnessPro14. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
    29. ↑ "The Blues bounce back to win first game of the season". GuinnessPro14. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
    30. ↑ "Dazzling Munster put nine tries past Ulster". GuinnessPro14. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
    31. ↑ "Byrne guides Leinster to win over rivals Munster". GuinnessPro14. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
    32. ↑ "Munster's Champions Cup Fixtures Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
    33. ↑ "Heineken Champions Cup". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
    34. ↑ "Spoils shared between Exeter and Munster". EPCR. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
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