McMillan backs Coombes “100 per cent” after foul‑play claim

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said he backs No 8 Gavin Coombes “100 per cent” after the player alleged serious foul play by a Leinster opponent during Saturday’s URC derby at Aviva Stadium.

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne raised the allegation with referee Andrew Brace late in the first half, claiming Coombes had been grabbed in the groin area. Television match official Colin Stanley found no video evidence, but the incident will be referred to the citing commissioner.

McMillan said the matter will be left to “the powers that be” and added that Coombes would not make such a claim lightly. Leinster boss Leo Cullen said he could not see any wrongdoing on first view and noted the accusation would become a serious matter for the citing commissioner.

The match ended in a 24‑18 Leinster victory after Munster surrendered a 13‑5 half‑time lead. Munster were penalised 17 times and lost centre Alex Nankivell to a yellow card, while Leinster scored 24 unanswered points to claim a bonus‑point win.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Magda Ehlers / Pexels.