Champions Cup
Preview: Muster and Exeter Face Off for Quarter-Final Place
Exeter Chiefs chase history at Thomond Park
On Saturday at 17:30, a sold-out Thomond Park will see Pool 2 leaders Munster take on Exeter for a place in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Munster head into the game on 17 points, 4 ahead of their opponents, knowing anything other then a loss will see them through.
Exeter are looking to become the first team in the competitions history to be winless after the first three pool games and still qualify. They are coming into the match after back to back bonus point victories against Gloucester and Castres.
Last weekend’s impressive 34-12 over the French giants ensured that they kept their faith in their own hands in the final round of pool fixtures.
Their revival will have its biggest challenge yet on Saturday, as Munster come into the game following their 41-15 demolition of Gloucester and confidence flying high.
In team news, Munster’s Peter O’Mahony has been passed fit to play after popping a rib in the win last weekend, and he will captain the side from the flank.
Here is your Munster team to face Exeter Chiefs at Thomond Park in the Champions Cup tomorrow (5.30pm).
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 18, 2019
Full details > > https://t.co/M4wMv4bCdD#MUNvEXE #SUAF ? pic.twitter.com/pOOuamR8fu
Munster’s only change sees John Ryan come in for Stephan Archer, who in turn has a place on the bench.
Meaning Joey Carbery remains at No.10 following his 26 point man of the match performance last time out and will be looking to continue his fine form heading into the 6 Nations.
The Exeter Chiefs also have one change to their side with Harry Williams coming in for Tomas Francais, who misses out due to illness.
Jack Nowell starts at full-back, after England coach Eddie Jones claimed earlier in the week, that he may start him as an openside flanker during the 6 Nations.
The British & Irish Lion was awarded ‘Try of the Round’ for this effort last weekend against Castres.
#ICYMI @ExeterChiefs winger @nowellsy15 won Try of the Round (5) for this scintillating score ?
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 17, 2019
Back from injury, he hot-footed through the @CastresRugby to touch down in the opening minutes as Chiefs got back on track in the #ChampionsCup ?
? ➡️ https://t.co/s1n4KBZwVm pic.twitter.com/EZx0ACXrZM
Here’s how the Chiefs will line up.
? – TEAM NEWS: Here is the @ExeterChiefs side to face @Munsterrugby in tomorrow's @ChampionsCup Rd 6 clash at Thomond Park (5:30pm) ⬇️https://t.co/t7gCY24Kvq pic.twitter.com/22dFwMFfAZ
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) January 18, 2019
Chiefs director of rugby, Rob Baxter, has admitted the task his side face is a hard one, but everything is to fight for despite the challenge.
“We know we have to force that
four point separation of either a 4-0 or 5-1 victory. We’re very much aware of that and how tough that makes it for us. However, there is still something tangible there for us to go out and fight for”
Saturday evening will see two top sides battle it out for a quarter-final spot.
The reality is that Exeter must overcome their biggest challenge yet as they head to Thomond Park for the first time, but one thing is for sure Munster won’t have it all their own way.
We’ve made our prediction for the game and all the other Pool 6 Fixtures here, check them out and let us know what you think.
Watch the game live on BT Sport, Saturday 17:30.
The Munster squad have started preparations at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s sold-out clash against the All Blacks XV at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
The game will be exclusively live-streamed on Access Munster, sign up here.
Pinergy, Munster Rugby’s official energy partner, are the presenting partners for the clash.
On the injury front, there were no fresh concerns following Saturday’s clash against the Sharks in Durban.
Peter O’Mahony (hamstring), who has been included in Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series squad but is continuing his rehabilitation at the HPC, will increase his training load this week. His availability for this weekend’s clash against the All Blacks XV will be determined later in the week.
Brian Gleeson (shoulder) and Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg) came through the weekend with no issues after returning to action with Garryowen in the AIL.
On the international front, Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Alex Kendellen have travelled to Portugal with the Ireland squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Continuing to rehab: Shane Daly (leg), Jeremy Loughman (knee), Alex Nankivell (hip), Josh Wycherley (neck), Mark Donnelly (ankle), Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Oli Jager (neck), Liam Coombes (leg), Thaakir Abrahams (thigh), Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).
Tickets
Saturday, November 2
Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT – Watch live on Access Munster here
URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30
Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7
Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 9: Friday, December 27
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that Academy trio Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan and Mark Donnelly will be promoted to the senior squad in the summer.
We can also confirm that hooker Scott Buckley, who graduated from the Academy to the senior squad in 2022, has signed a contract extension.
Out-half Butler, scrum-half Coughlan (both 21) and 22-year-old prop Donnelly have all signed on for the next two seasons after impressing over their three years in the Academy.
Butler and Coughlan become the first Ennis RFC players to earn senior Munster contracts.
As previously confirmed, Academy lock Edwin Edogbo (21), who also came up through the Munster Youths system with Cobh Pirates, will graduate from the Academy to the senior squad on a two-year deal next season.
Buckley, Butler, Coughlan and Donnelly all made their Munster debuts in the famous Champions Cup win over Wasps in December 2021.
Tony Butler in action against Dragons.
Ennis out-half Tony Butler has earned his first senior contract after a very productive three years in the Academy.
He has made six senior appearances to date, including two starts so far this season against Dragons and Connacht.
A Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s in 2022, Butler now plays his AIL rugby with Young Munster having previously lined out for Garryowen.
He captained Ennis at underage level, teaming up with Coughlan in the half-backs as they enjoyed success in the Munster U16 and U18 Clubs competitions.
Scrum-half Ethan Coughlan is enjoying an excellent campaign with three starts so far this year and eight senior appearances in total since joining the Academy.
He enjoyed great success alongside Butler with Ennis RFC at underage level before captaining the Ireland U18 Clubs team.
He also won a Grand Slam with the Ireland U20s in 2022 and plays his AIL rugby with Shannon.
Prop Mark Donnelly has already made nine senior appearances for Munster after coming up through the ranks at Midleton RFC, Midleton College and CBC.
He was a Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup winner with CBC in 2019 and featured for the Ireland U20s in the 2021 Six Nations.
He joined the Academy that summer before making his Munster debut along with Buckley, Butler and Coughlan against Wasps in December 2021
Along with his nine senior Munster appearances, Donnelly has also played regularly for Garryowen in the AIL over the past three years.
Mark Donnelly at Munster training.
Hooker Scott Buckley (23) has signed a one-year contract having made 25 appearances for Munster to date.
A product of the Munster Rugby Academy, Buckley started out with Kinsale RFC before captaining CBC to the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup in 2019.
He was Player of the Match against Wasps on his Munster debut and made nine appearances last season as Munster won the URC title.
A UCC clubman, he scored the match-winning try against Crusaders at Páirc Ui Chaoimh earlier this month.
Scott Buckley scores a try against Leinster in pre-season.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm the signing of 23-year-old winger Diarmuid Kilgallen on a two-year deal ahead of the 2024/25 season.
In further contract news, hooker Eoghan Clarke has signed a one-year deal for next season after rejoining Munster in November.
Prop Keynan Knox has completed his time at the province after scoring three tries in 33 appearances and we wish him all the best for the future.
Diarmuid Kilgallen in action against Ulster in November.
Kilgallen hails from Eadestown in Kildare and has scored 12 tries in 22 appearances for Connacht to date.
He started out at Naas RFC before playing schools rugby for Cistercian College Roscrea on the Tipperary-Offaly border.
He joined the Connacht Academy in 2019 and made his debut against Munster in 2020.
A tall, athletic winger, he scored five tries in eight appearances last season and has five tries in six appearances so far this year.
Eoghan Clarke made his first start for Munster against Crusaders earlier this month.
25-year-old hooker Clarke has signed on for next year after impressing since returning to the province in November.
Clarke spent three years in the Munster Academy before departing for Jersey Reds in 2021. He won the English Championship with Jersey last season but the club went into liquidation in October.
He has made five appearances for Munster since returning, including a debut against Bayonne in December and a first start against Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh earlier this month.
24-year-old tighthead prop Knox departs after over seven years at Munster Rugby.
He joined the Academy midway through the 2017/18 season after completing his second level education with Michaelhouse in South Africa.
The Young Munster clubman made his senior debut against Dragons in September 2019 and moved up to the senior squad in 2020.
Knox featured in eight games last season as Munster clinched the URC title. In total, he scored three tries in 33 Munster appearances.
We wish Keynan all the best with his next move.
Keynan Knox at training last month.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
