URC Final Match Thread - Stormers V Munster - Saturday May 27th 2023 17:30, TG4

Akrasia · 26-05-2023 11:03am #1

It's been a long journey for Munster this year, both figuratively, and literally for the thousands of Munster fans who have travelled over the equator to South Africa 6 different times this season.

And what a journey it's been. A new coaching ticket bringing back ex Munster legends Denis Leamey and Mike Prendergast back home to join future Munster legend Graham Rowntree in the coaching ticket that has transformed how the team play.

That hasn't been easy, a very rocky start to the season caused by a combination of a new playing style, players going on tour with Ireland, and an injury toll that saw us go into multiple games with no 2nd row cover on the bench, and even using back row forwards on the starting 15

Munster clawed back up the URC table, taking a moment to beat South Africa in a sold out Pairc Ui Caoimhe, to get to the knockouts where they faced a series of away matches, each more unwinnable than the last. Munster knocked the Sharks out of Europe next year, knocked Glasgow out of the URC, Munster then knocked Leinster out in their home stadium and now are faced with one last challenge, beating the Reigning URC champions on their home pitch (if it remains intact) on the literal other side of the world

Munster team

Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, RG Snyman, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls

Stormers team has been announced

https://twitter.com/THESTORMERS/status/1662031621841731585?t=bL-haWZmjJf0MBZXmGJJGg&s=19

Marvin Orie is back to restart his battle with Peter O Mahony. Hopefully this time he can keep his hands to himself

Munster to name the team before 12pm

Jump_In_Jack · 26-05-2023 12:00pm

https://www.munsterrugby.ie/preview/team-named-munster-side-to-face-stormers-in-urc-grand-final/

Team named

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, RG Snyman, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls.

budhabob · 26-05-2023 12:45pm

Only real surprise for me is RG not starting, we're clearly going after the tackle and breakdown area. Mobile impactful bench all the same.

phog · 26-05-2023 12:53pm

It's where we want to be, in a final. Shame it's not in Ireland but it is what it is.

Hopefully, the lads will manage to pull it off.

G'wan Munster

26-05-2023 12:57pm

Best of luck to Munster tomorrow - hope you do it and think that team named is good enough to do it.

aloooof · 26-05-2023 1:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642570#Comment_120642570

Only 6 of the 15 who started the Pro 14 final 2 seasons ago remain in the starting jerseys, them being Haley, Murray, Kleyn, Beirne, POM and Coombes

Very happy with that team tho. Hopefully it’s enough to get over the line.

Snyman off the bench could be huge, would be a massive for everyone too.

lawrencesummers · 26-05-2023 1:29pm

Kicking is key.

We will lose some scrums but the stormers are defiantly beatable.

Gwan.

vienne86 · 26-05-2023 1:45pm

Good looking team! Leinster supporter wishing you best of luck.....go Munster!

Tinter Box · 26-05-2023 2:02pm

Ulster fan here. Really hope Munster can pull it off. Not jealous at all of the fans at a final in Cape Town.. 😁

scott1974 · 26-05-2023 2:11pm

I wonder will the state of the pitch nullify the Stormers scrum, it might become a bit if a lottery which might benefit Munster

Jump_In_Jack · 26-05-2023 2:15pm

Is Kilcoyne injured? Wycherly passing him out would be notable if Kilcoyne is fully fit. Kilcoyne was named as part of the travelling squad.

pickarooney · 26-05-2023 2:17pm

Not going to be able to see this but fingers and toes crossed for a Munster win!

leakyboots · 26-05-2023 3:21pm

If you told me a year ago we'd be naming a team without Kilcoyne, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Donoghue, Carbery, Rory Scannell, Zebo and Conway in the squad and with Niall Scannell and Earls only starting from the bench I'd have been absolutely bricking this game.

Big credit to the coaching staff with the improvements they made in players across the board. The likes of Kleyn/Nash/Daly/Archer/Hodnett made themselves almost undroppable.

Exciting team, I think we'll do it!

Brief_Lives · 26-05-2023 3:35pm

Stormers pressie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmxjSqeT_oo

Brief_Lives · 26-05-2023 3:35pm

Munster presser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XJX-7cUk7M

aloooof · 26-05-2023 3:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120643507#Comment_120643507

And JOD, our player of the year last season, doesn’t even make the 23, due to the form of Hodnett and Kendellen.

ulsteru20s · 26-05-2023 3:52pm

Snynam and Salanoa coming on at the same time with half an hour to go makes a ton of sense. Lots of power and Snynam should help Salanoa in the scrum.

StevenToast · 26-05-2023 4:09pm

If Munster pull off a win (and I think they can), its a win that is right up there with their 2 Heineken Cups....

Good luck to them...

aloooof · 26-05-2023 4:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120643704#Comment_120643704

It’s amazing how far the URC has come in 2 seasons.

leakyboots · 26-05-2023 4:14pm

Yeah, certainly with a new coaching setup, the poor start to the season and given all the away matches en route and the calibre of opponents along the way. Would be a fantastic achievement

StevenToast · 26-05-2023 4:16pm

Going down to South Africa to play their best team, the defending champions, in front of a full house, in a final.....thats as hard as it gets in club rugby....

How would La Rochelle get on down there??

Reminds me of the old days where Munster started picking off away wins in France and Saracens etc...

Bogwoppit · 26-05-2023 4:21pm

Best of luck to the Munster lads, it’s about time ye got back to the top table!

26-05-2023 4:39pm

A disappointed Leinster fan hoping that the provincial season can be salvaged by Munster tomorrow. Very best of luck, bring it home!

Former Former Former · 26-05-2023 4:48pm

It's a good Stormers team but definitely beatable. I'd fancy this.

icdg · 26-05-2023 5:10pm

Game is also on Premier Sports (Viaplay in NI) and URC Tv for those interested.

lbj666 · 26-05-2023 5:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120643704#Comment_120643704

As far as games with a trophy at the end of it no doubt would be just behind those achievements. But theres too many other big (and underdog) wins from that era to even compare.

Neil3030 · 26-05-2023 6:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120643706#Comment_120643706

Bulls fans are getting Munster tattoos on their arse to win tickets to the final to cheer against the Stormers.

https://twitter.com/rugby_ap/status/1662100296003117057

ulsteru20s · 26-05-2023 6:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120644135#Comment_120644135

Crap, liveline will be getting irate calls about this.

Ardillaun · 26-05-2023 6:55pm

South African teams have transformed the league. It’s never easy against them with their power up front and speed out wide. Munster forwards must convert their opportunities more efficiently than they did in the first half against Leinster. If they keep in touch their organization may tell against these guys.