Munster coach McMillan sees positives despite 26-20 loss to Glasgow

Munster opened their United Rugby Championship campaign with a 26-20 home defeat to Glasgow Warriors in Limerick on Saturday, but head coach Clayton McMillan said the performance gave him confidence for the rest of the season.

Munster led 17-7 at halftime, having taken an early penalty from veteran fly‑half JJ Hanrahan and scoring tries from wing Ben O’Connor and prop Michael Milne. The home side also dominated the scrum, with new tighthead Kieran Brookes impressing on debut after his move from Perpignan.

In the second half Glasgow applied sustained pressure, scoring three tries – two from Jamie Dobie and one from replacement prop Nathan McBeth – and secured a try‑bonus point, while Munster earned a losing bonus point.

McMillan highlighted the team’s work rate, noting they made “100‑odd tackles more than them” and praised the new assistant coaches, Jared Payne and Jimmy Duffy, for clarifying the game plan. He acknowledged a drop in positional play after the break but remained optimistic about the squad’s defensive effort and “green shoots” for the season.

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