Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Nick Elliott
Tommy McLoughlin New Ross RFC
Munster made the most of a bright evening in Thomond Park, producing a ruthless second-half display to see off Ulster 41–14 in the United Rugby Championship. There was late disruption before kick-off with Jack Crowley ruled out during the warm-up, forcing JJ Hanrahan into the starting role, but the change did little to derail Munster as they pulled away after the break, with John Hodnett’s four-try haul driving a dominant home performance.
Ulster Strike First but Munster Settle
Ulster were the sharper side out of the blocks and looked comfortable early on, moving the ball with intent and asking questions of the Munster defence. Their early pressure paid off when Aitzol Arenzana-King crossed, giving the visitors a deserved lead. Munster took time to settle but found a way back into the contest following a yellow card to Tom Briggs. That moment shifted the balance. With the extra man, Munster began to build phases and gain a foothold in the game. Hodnett struck twice before the interval, both coming from close range as Munster’s pack started to assert itself. It wasn’t a flawless first half from the hosts, but they went in 12–7 ahead and with momentum moving in their favour.
Munster Hit Top Gear After the Break
The game changed quickly after the restart. Munster came out with far more intent, increasing the tempo and forcing Ulster onto the back foot. Alex Kendellen’s try early in the half stretched the lead and signalled what was coming. Munster were now playing with far more accuracy, linking well through the forwards and backs, and finding space with ease. Hodnett completed his hat-trick soon after, finishing off a slick move involving Casey, Ahern, and Coombes, before later adding a fourth as Munster pulled clear. The tries began to come in waves, and Ulster had no answer to the pace or physicality. Ulster did manage a response through John Andrew, but it did little to halt the momentum. Kendellen added further scores late on as Munster ran up seven tries in total and put the result well beyond doubt.
A Statement When It Mattered
This felt like a timely performance from Munster. There has been inconsistency at times this season, but this display showed what they are capable of when their attacking game clicks.They were far more clinical in the second half, with better decision-making and sharper support lines. Once they got on top physically, they didn’t let Ulster back
into the contest. For Ulster, the early signs were promising, but they struggled to deal with the sustained pressure. Defensive lapses and an inability to slow Munster’s ball proved costly as the game wore on.
Hodnett Leads the Charge
John Hodnett will take the headlines, and rightly so. Four tries from the back row is no small feat, but it was his work-rate and timing that stood out just as much as the finishes. Alex Kendellen made a huge impact off the bench, adding three tries and lifting the energy levels at a key stage of the game. Craig Casey controlled things well at scrum-half, keeping Munster playing at a high tempo and bringing others into the game effectively. For Ulster, Michael Lowry showed flashes of quality and was one of the few players able to make ground consistently.
The Verdict:
Munster turned a tight contest into a convincing result with a ruthless second-half display. Once they found their tempo, they stretched Ulster and finished their chances with real precision, leaving little room for a response. The win keeps Munster firmly in the playoff conversation, with very little separating the sides chasing those crucial top positions. At this stage of the season, building momentum is just as important as picking up points, and this was a performance that could carry real weight over the coming weeks. Next up, Munster face a tricky trip west to Connacht, a fixture that rarely offers anything straightforward. Ulster, meanwhile, return home to take on the Stormers, where they’ll need a strong reaction after letting this one slip. With the margins so fine, both results will have a major say in how the table shapes up heading into the final rounds.
Match Squads
Munster Rugby:
15. Shane Daly, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Alex Nankivell, 11. Andrew Smith, 10. JJ Hanrahan, 9. Craig Casey; 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Oli Jager, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne (C), 6. Tom Ahern, 7. John Hodnett, 8. Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: 16. Lee Barron, 17. Michael Milne, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Edwin Edogbo, 20. Brian Gleeson, 21. Ben O’Donovan, 22. Dan Kelly, 23. Alex Kendellen.
Ulster Rugby:
15. Michael Lowry (C), 14. Aitzol Arenzana-King, 13. Ethan McIlroy, 12. Ben Carson, 11. Ben Moxham, 10. Jake Flannery, 9. Conor McKee; 1. Eric O’Sullivan, 2. James McCormick, 3. Bryan O’Connor, 4. Harry Sheridan, 5. Charlie Irvine, 6. James McKillop, 7. Tom Brigg, 8. Lorcan McLoughlin.
Replacements: 16. John Andrew, 17. Callum Reid, 18. Tom McAllister, 19. Joe Hopes, 20. Marcus Rea, 21. David Shanahan, 22. James Humphrey, 23. Jonny Scott.
Match Details
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU) Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick Attendance: 17,364
Half-Time Score: Munster 12–7 Ulster Full-Time Score: Munster 41–14 Ulster
Match Discipline & Scorers
Cards:
Ulster Rugby: Yellow Card – Tom Brigg (23′ – knock on)
Scorers
Munster Rugby:
· Tries: Hodnett (24’, 29’, 55’, 68’), Kendellen (47’, 53’, 69’)
· Cons: Hanrahan (30’, 53’, 70’)
Ulster Rugby:
· Tries: Arenzana-King (13’), Andrew (65’)
· Cons: Flannery (13’, 66’)
Next Up
Ulster v Exeter (EPCR SF) Saturday May 2nd 5:30pm and Connacht v Munster (URC) Saturday May 9th 7.45pm.