Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Munster scored five tries in their Champions Cup loss to Sharks

Rowntree promises Munster season won't 'fizzle out'

Graham Rowntree is fully confident that Munster will not allow the season to "fizzle out" as they face a double-header in South Africa.

Rugby • 12 Apr 23

Jack Crowley, left, and John Hodnett dejected after the defeat

Rowntree dismayed by Munster's Durban drubbing

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree admitted he was 'hugely disappointed' after his side exited the Heineken Champions Cup after a 50-35 defeat to the Sharks in Durban.

Rugby • 01 Apr 23

Munster are aiming to qualify for a record 20th quarter-final in the Champions Cup

Rowntree: Munster will need season's best v Sharks

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree believes his side will need to produce their best rugby of the season this weekend, if they're make it to quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup for a record 20th time.

Rugby • 29 Mar 23

Graham Rowntree (left) speaks to his assistant coach Mike Prendergast (right) at Munster's training session at Thomond Park

Rowntree expects reaction as Munster depart for Durban

Munster have been able to include hooker Niall Scannell and centre Antoine Frisch in their travelling squad for Saturday's Champions Cup Round of 16 meeting with the Cell C Sharks in Durban.

Rugby • 28 Mar 23

Munster found themselves 28-0 down at half time

No excuses from Rowntree after Munster fall to Glasgow

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree says his side were masters of their own downfall, as they saw their hopes of a home quarter-final dealt a huge blow by the Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 25 Mar 23

Snyman's return leaves Munster well-stocked at lock

Graham Rowntree lets out an ironic chuckle when it's suggested to him that the province's second row stocks are looking healthier than ever heading into the business end of the season.

Rugby • 06 Mar 23

RG Snyman made his return from 17 months out in the win

Rowntree's relief as Munster survive Scarlets fightback

Graham Rowntree cut a relieved figure as Munster survived an epic Scarlets comeback to hold on for a 49-42 win at Musgrave Park.

Rugby • 03 Mar 23

Munster celebrate their seventh try of the night from Calvin Nash

Snyman returns as Munster hold on against Scarlets

Munster scored seven tries in a hectic 49-42 win against the Scarlets, and although their win keeps their drive for a top-four finish in the BKT United Rugby Championship on course, this was the rare occasion where the night belonged to one man.

Rugby • 03 Mar 23

Munster suffered another narrow loss against Toulouse

'We like a challenge' - Rowntree relishing Sharks test

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree was "gutted" not to have beaten Toulouse but is looking forward to seeing his side tackle the Sharks on the road in the Heineken Champions Cup last 16.

Rugby • 22 Jan 23

Jacob Stockdale produced some good moments in attack but Ulster failed to capitalise

McFarland slams 'terrible' Ulster after late collapse

Dan McFarland said Ulster have a "big issue" when it comes to closing out games after they fell to a last-gasp loss to Munster.

Rugby • 02 Jan 23

'I'm not even going to talk about Europe, just about this game in Belfast on Sunday'

Rowntree shifts focus to 'massive' game against Ulster

Graham Rowntree admits that Munster's defeat to Leinster has ramped up the pressure ahead of their New Year's Day clash with Ulster.

Rugby • 28 Dec 22

Graham Rowntree felt Munster's attack again showed signs of improvement

Rowntree: Munster must stop gifting teams easy access

Graham Rowntree said Munster must work harder at denying opposition teams access to their 22 after his battling side fell short against Toulouse in their Heineken Champions Cup opener.

Rugby • 11 Dec 22

Munster's form has turned around in recent weeks

Rowntree: Munster 'hardened' by poor start to season

Graham Rowntree believes Munster's slow start to the season has toughened them up, and they're starting to reap the rewards for sticking to their plan.

Rugby • 08 Dec 22

Toulouse knocked Munster out of the Heineken Champions Cup in each of the last two seasons

'A real European giant coming to Thomond' - Rowntree

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree says he never lost faith that his side would turn their season around, but admits they will have their "hands full" when they welcome Toulouse to Thomond Park this Sunday.

Rugby • 07 Dec 22

Edwin Edogbo leads the celebrations at the final whistle

Rowntree praises 'smart' Munster but Friend frustrated

Graham Rowntree believes Munster have turned a corner after they gave their season a shot in the arm with a bonus-point victory over Connacht.

Rugby • 27 Nov 22

Munster's players celebrate the 28-14 win

Rowntree: South Africa win has to be a 'springboard'

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree says their impressive win against the South Africa Select XV has to be a springboard for the rest of their season.

Rugby • 10 Nov 22

Graham Rowntree expects the excitement among the Munster players will be through the roff

Munster won't train at Páirc before South Africa

Munster will not train at Páirc Uí Chaoimh ahead of their game against South Africa because Graham Rowntree wants it to be a "special moment" for his players when they run onto the pitch for the first time.

Rugby • 09 Nov 22

Alex Kendellen:'There has been a lot of change and it's change for the good'

Kendellen excited by chance to play in the Páirc

Alex Kendellen grew up in the shadow of Páirc Uí Chaoimh but he thought his chances of playing at the iconic venue were over when he swapped the round ball for an oval one.

Rugby • 08 Nov 22

Jonny Holland: 'What stuck out to me watching on was the belief in the Munster squad'

Aviva defeat could propel Munster tyros to next level

Jonny Holland says that while Munster can't rely on moral victories, the performance of the younger crop of players in defeat to Leinster could ignite their season.

Rugby • 25 Oct 22

Thomas Ahern was one of several Munster players who picked up knocks during Saturday's defeat

Munster could make short-term signing as injuries mount

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree says he may explore the possibility of a short-term signing, as their injury problems continue.

Rugby • 24 Oct 22

Munster coach Graham Rowntree says that his side will need to be even better when they take on Leinster on Saturday

Munster seeking 'perfection' as focus turns to Leinster

It was a welcome step in the right direction, but if Munster are to get firmly back on track and beat Leinster at the Aviva Stadium this weekend, then they will need to take a few more over the coming days.

Rugby • 17 Oct 22

Munster's Dave Kilcoyne and John Hodnett celebrate the win

Rowntree: Munster owed the fans a big win

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree said his side owed the Munster fans a performance after they kicked their season into life this evening.

Rugby • 15 Oct 22

Joe Schmidt and Pat Lam endured tough starts before success at Leinster and Connacht

All's not lost for Munster as Schmidt and Lam prove

While Graham Rowntree's time in charge of Munster has got off to a disappointing start, he can look to Joe Schmidt and Pat Lam for inspiration in how to turn things around.

Rugby • 15 Oct 22

Munster slipped to their third defeat in four games

Rowntree bemoans 'ill-disciplined' final quarter

Graham Rowntree said Munster were architects of their own downfall once again as they crashed to a disappointing loss against Connacht in Galway.

Rugby • 08 Oct 22

Coombes missed the first three games of the season due to a groin injury

Coombes in line for Munster return against Connacht

Gavin Coombes is in contention to make his first appearance of the season for Munster in Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro against Connacht.

Rugby • 03 Oct 22