Munster start URC season with bonus‑point win over Bulls

Munster secured a bonus‑point victory against South Africa’s Bulls at Thomond Park on Saturday, giving the province a winning start to their United Rugby Championship campaign.

Academy rookie Charlie O’Shea, making his first competitive start, was named man of the match after scoring two tries, providing a kick‑assist for Diarmuid Kilgallen’s opening try and converting three of four attempts in his 70‑minute appearance.

Munster’s fourth try came from replacement Alex Kendellen, extending the lead and avenging the province’s 45‑14 quarter‑final loss to the Bulls last May.

A late change saw lock Fineen Wycherley withdrawn with a knock, promoting Evan O’Connell to the starting line‑up for a second consecutive week alongside Tom Ahern. Coach Clayton McMillan adjusted the bench, adding academy centre Gordon Wood as an extra back and giving Gavin Coombes a dual role as covering lock and No. 8.

Early in the match the Bulls struck first, but O’Shea’s kick‑assist set up Kilgallen’s try three minutes later, and O’Shea’s conversion levelled the score at 7‑7. After a series of penalties and a charge‑down of Curwin Bosch’s clearance, O’Shea scored his maiden try, converting it to put Munster 14‑7 ahead.

The Bulls equalised before half‑time through a try by Francois Klopp, with Bosch’s conversion making it 14‑14 at the break. Bosch opened the second half with a penalty, giving the Bulls a 17‑14 lead, but Munster responded after a TMO‑reviewed knock‑on, culminating in O’Shea’s third try and conversion to restore the lead.

Munster held on to finish the match with a bonus‑point win, moving onto the next round of the URC season.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Ollie Craig / Pexels.