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Thursday 8 June 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Munster

This week
4th June 2023 - 8th June 2023
# Big Shoes
Former Munster head coach to fill void left by All Blacks-bound boss
Rob Penney will take over at Crusaders from August.
Last week
28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# Test
Know your sport? Take our weekly quiz
How closely have you been paying attention to this week’s sporting headlines?
# Changes
URC set to finish next season with round of derby games for Irish sides
Proposed change in scheduling would also see South Africans reducing trips north.
# pecking order
Who is second-in-line to Sexton after a crazy year in Ireland's depth chart?
Jack Crowley’s upward trajectory continues but Ross Byrne had a big Six Nations this year.
# Extension
Prendergast hopeful Earls will stay with Munster - 'He was calling for one more year himself'
The 35-year-old is currently contracted until the end of the World Cup this October.
# Liginds
12 years later - Munster legends show staying power to end their drought
Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony, Keith Earls, and Stephen Archer were all around back in 2011.
# Homecoming
'This will only get better' - Rowntree's message to Munster fans
The URC winners returned home to a rapturous reception from over 10,000 fans at Thomond Park this evening.
# URC
Crowds of 9,000 expected in Thomond Park this evening to welcome home Munster Rugby champions
Munster defeated the DHL Stormers by 19-14 on Saturday in Cape Town.
# main man
'ROG tried to get him to La Rochelle, but this is why Crowley stuck around'
Munster’s 23-year-old out-half had a big game in the URC final.
# Farewell
Fekitoa's season of two halves ends on a glorious high with Munster
The Tongan centre will move on to Benetton this summer after a rollercoaster year.
# Analysis
The brilliant John Hodnett try that pushed Munster to URC glory
Every single Munster player had a part in the game-clinching score.
# worthy winners
Rowntree has re-energised Munster with URC success won against the odds
The feel-good factor is back at Thomond Park after a hugely encouraging campaign.
Last month
May 2023
# Second best
'Maybe I got something wrong' - Stormers boss Dobson takes blame for URC final loss
Dobson felt he was out-coached by opposite number Graham Rowntree.
# The Boss
'I’m just delighted for the whole province. The Red Army followed us here'
Graham Rowntree expressed his elation after Munster’s win in the URC final.
# Champions
Munster win the URC and end 12-year trophy drought by downing the Stormers in Cape Town
Munster showed steel and accuracy to claim a deserved victory.
# SUAF
The 12-year wait is over. Munster's transformation has been remarkable
Graham Rowntree has overseen a stunning season and Munster are URC champions.
# Champions
Never-say-die Munster fire late to sink Stormers and claim URC title
The southern province have ended their 12-year wait for a trophy.
AS IT HAPPENED
DHL Stormers v Munster, URC Grand Final
Relive all the action as it happened in Cape Town.
# West Cork
'You always knew Gavin was a step ahead' - From Skibbereen to chasing glory in South Africa
Gavin Coombes has been a mainstay in the Munster team seeking success in the URC.
# Leader
'It's a huge goal of mine' - O'Mahony's big chance to end long trophy wait with Munster
To see the Munster captain lift the URC trophy would feel like fitting reward for one of the greatest players the province has produced.
# year one
Munster return to Cape Town in search of the crown
Fitting that this season which has seen Munster meld old values with a new approach should culminate in an old-school run to a final on a new frontier.
# Selection
Murray, Nash, and Fekitoa back in Munster team for URC final
RG Snyman also returns but will be used off the bench against the Stormers.
# Team news
Springboks duo return up front for Stormers finale against Munster
John Dobson has named a strong team for the URC decider in Cape Town.
# Dobbo
Administration, a mission, and 'niggle' with Munster - The Stormers story
Head coach John Dobson has driven the Cape Town side to brilliant results in the last two years.
# looking ahead
Erasmus: Stormers favourites against Munster
The South African director of rugby is a former coach of both sides.
# POTY
Munster's player of the season? Jean Kleyn but the competition is strong
The second row has been relentless, while wing pair Shane Daly and Calvin Nash have excelled.
# the brave and faithful
'We're very conscious of what we represent, both in the present and in the past'
Defence coach Denis Leamy admits reaching the URC final was not necessarily part of Munster’s plan at the start of the season.
# belief
'Munster isn't there to beat Leinster... Munster is there to win championships'
Jean Kleyn doesn’t blame the Stormers for being excited to host Munster in Saturday’s URC final. He’s just focused on spoiling the party.
# Analysis
All-action Shane Daly has been one of Munster's brightest lights this season
The winger is enjoying his best campaign yet with his home province.
# Wig
How Graham Rowntree has brought Munster to the brink of trophy success
The 52-year-old is in his first season as a head coach.
# Red Army
At least 5,000 Munster fans expected at URC final in Cape Town
Graham Rowntree has great options thanks to the return to fitness of some key men.
# Back for the final
Snyman, Murray, Fekitoa and Nash all back for URC Grand Final
Munster head for South Africa bolstered by return of key players
# Irish Abroad
'Donners is gold. The players love him. He's intense in that Munster way'
Donnacha Ryan has made a strong start to his coaching career with La Rochelle.
# Munster On Tour
Munster's URC Grand Final against the Stormers sells out in less than three hours
Cape Town’s DHL Stadium will host a capacity crowd of 55,000 on 27 May.
# Motivation
Stormers coach explains 'that' celebration video after Munster beat Leinster
John Dobson insists his side have the utmost respect for Munster but are ecstatic to get another chance to ‘make Cape Town smile.’
# The Man
Earls determined to end Munster's long wait for silverware after 'rough season'
The winger feared his campaign was over after injuring his groin last month.
# on the road again
Munster one game from glory after an occasion to savour in Dublin
Graham Rowntree’s team will head to South Africa full of confidence as their late-season surge continues.
# SUAF
'Pete spoke really well about this not being our final. We go to Cape Town with belief'
Munster boss Graham Rowntree reflects on a famous win in Dublin.
# Jack's The Lad
Crowley's drop goal sends Munster into URC final with dramatic defeat of Leinster
Jack Crowley kicked a late drop goal to seal a classic interpro derby at Aviva Stadium.
# Jack's The Lad
Crowley's drop goal sends Munster into URC final with dramatic defeat of Leinster
Jack Crowley kicked a late drop goal to seal a classic interpro derby at Aviva Stadium.