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

Fùck me, what a brilliant game. Well done Munster.

Another great advert for the URC....by far the best league in the world...

URC has become a really great and competitive competition. It's absolutely critical for a sustainable professional game in this country.

The last few rounds and the knock outs have been really high quality rugby.

Bench made the impact it needed.

First time in a while that we had a bench capable of making a difference in a final.

Will have to look back at it again but I was nervous throughout the whole game especially when we weren't converting the opportunities, did think Coombes try could have stood. A few harsh pens against Munster that the ref ignored from the Stormers though no issue with our two YCs.

Refs/TMOs need to clamp down on sliding tackles on try scorers.

Absolutely delighted for Earls, a few weeks ago it looked like he could have played his last game for Munster, tonight he lifted the trophy with POM and then gets carried around the field.

While all the attention is (rightly) on the D, and on the new attacking systems, the work Andi Kyriacou (and possibly also Rowntree himself?) has done with the scrum this year is a more unsung but phenomenal achievement. A front row of Loughman, Barron and Archer packed down 15-20 times against Kitsoff, Dweeba and Malherbe, over two games, and I count maybe 2 penalties and a free-kick conceded?

Was the second time Libbok slid in feet first, did the same earlier.

Coombes was knocked off his feet initially, it was the correct call and he should have dropped and presented.

Refs have a difficult enough job, there's always stuff that's going to be missed, complaining about them is reserved for sideline dads, he was fine.

Delighted for Munster and Rowntree, enjoy it.

I can understand refs missing stuff in the heat of a game, a TMO missing a sliding tackle when a try is being scored is unforgivable.

They looked at whether the ball from POM was forward but missed a shoulder to his face.

Theses aren't just something of nothing, they're dangerous play

That “pitch” should be dug up and fuckled into the sea now.

Wig & POM ❤️

Well done Munster, it's a pity Fekitoa is leaving as Munster as they were building a nice group of players.

What a season Munster considering the start they had, it'll be interesting If some players make into Andy Farrell's thinking.

Have to agree totally with your point on the scrum coaching and have to hand it to Rowntree he has put together a great group of coaches and fitness levels have also increased dramatically to see out games, Wig has being an ideal fit as head coach and speaks so well about the squad and can only see the team getting better, also great to see Keith lift the cup with Peter and when he came on his experience of holding the ball helped. The young players coming through the future looks bright.

Wow, what a win! Amazing end to a topsy turvy season. Ref played a blinder I thought, the right call on Coombes.

A number of lads put their hands up but time will tell it Farrell thinks they work his system. Winning away from home like that for weeks on end is priceless, no fear.

Particularly happy for our record caps holder Archer, Earls, POM in particular. They've soldiered through some bad days.

Hodnett was sensational, if anyone deserves a call up it's him, he's a human dynamo.

One of the great days 😁

Couldn't be happier for this guy

Mike Haley has been really excellent for Munster

Though it was a knock on also, ball seemed to be retrieved before going forward. Ref was a couple of yards away and seemed fine with it

The start of the homecoming

Probably the biggest win for an Irish club team since Leinster won in Bilbao 5 years ago. Massive.

And what the last two weeks has shown us, we need more than one club performing. Leinster is very well represented on the Irish team for good reason but it is the addition of the likes of POM, Beirne, Murphy, Hansen who bring it up a level - all leaders and smart rugby players.

As my SIL said, a Cork victory parade starting in Innishannon and ending in Skibbereen.