Leinster Overcome Munster

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Leinster overcame a resilient Munster in the Pro12 derby clash to give themselves a timely boost before the launch of their Heineken Cup defence.

Richard Strauss scored an early try for the hosts but Munster hit back with Peter O'Mahony's try before Ian Madigan went over to edge Leinster ahead.

Leinster held a 20-14 lead at the break and Brian O'Driscoll added their third try to extend the advantage.

Conor Murray's try gave Munster hope but Leinster held firm for the win.

Leinster were on the scoreboard after four minutes - from a a five-metre scrum they sprung to the left and Strauss was able to spin out of Donnacha Ryan's tackle to score under the posts, with Jonathan Sexton converting.

But Munster's rapid response would have warmed the heart of new head coach Rob Penney.

Keith Earls roared up the right wing and numbers on the left created the space for O'Mahony to reach over in the corner, although Ronan O'Gara was unable to convert.

The scores kept coming as O'Gara sandwiched a Sexton penalty with two of his own, giving Munster an 11-10 lead heading into the second quarter.

Sexton had struck the left-hand post with his second effort as Munster began to leak successive penalties, and Leinster soon regained the lead.

They pressed through the middle, man of the match Eoin Reddan delivering some deft passes, before Madigan stepped inside Casey Laulala's challenge to slip through for a neatly-taken 21st-minute try.

Sexton converted to move the European champions 17-11 clear, the added cohesion brought by O'Driscoll and company having a telling effect.

Increasing pressure on the Munster scrum gave Sexton two more shots at the posts, the second of which he landed to punish David Kilcoyne for bringing the set-piece down.

Strauss infringed at a central ruck moments later, allowing O'Gara to boot the visitors back to within a converted score on the cusp of half-time.

The woodwork denied O'Gara early in the second period as he suffered his first penalty miss of the night.

A sumptuous strike from Sexton then kick-started a key spell from the hosts.

The direct running of Fergus McFadden and Strauss parted the Munster defence and O'Driscoll somehow scrambled his way over in the left corner.

The Ireland captain dotted down with his outstretched left arm despite the presence of Denis Hurley and the late-arriving Simon Zebo.

It was a real hammer blow to Munster's chances and Damien Varley, barely on the pitch, was immediately yellow-carded by referee Leighton Hodges as he paid the price for his side's repeated ruck infringements.

The conversion was added by Sexton, his sixth success from eight kicks, and Munster had a mountain to climb.

But as Leinster lost Isa Nacewa, O'Driscoll and Andrew Conway to injury, Munster pulled back a try as Murray lunged over unopposed following a pack drive.

O'Gara's replacement Ian Keatley weighed in with a tremendous touchline conversion to bring it back to a nine-point deficit and suddenly it was game on again.

The Munster forwards looked re-energised, with their scrum making inroads, and Laulala was denied a try by a marginal knock-on call.

Both sides pushed for a late bonus point with John Cooney and Earls leading breaks, but the scores dried up as Leinster were left to celebrate an eighth win in their last 10 meetings with Munster.

Leinster: I Madigan; A Conway, B O'Driscoll, F McFadden, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross; D Browne; K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip (capt).

Replacements: J Cooney for Conway 65, N Reid for O'Driscoll 64, F Carr for Nacewa 52, S Cronin for Strauss 57, J Hagan for Ross 65, T Denton for Browne 72, J Murphy for McLaughlin 13

Not used: J McGrath

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett (capt), K Earls, C Laulala, S Zebo; R O'Gara, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, BJ Botha; D O'Callaghan, D Ryan; Dave O'Callaghan, S Dougall, P O'Mahony.

Replacements: J Downey for Zebo 65, I Keatley for O'Gara 61, D Varley for Sherry 51, B Holland for Dave O'Callaghan 46, P Butler for Donncha O'Callaghan 69.

Not used: W du Preez, S Archer, D Williams

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O'Connell to End Munster Captaincy

Lions and Ireland international, Paul O'Connell, has admitted he is likely to step down as Munster captain after six years leading the province.

The 32-year-old second row was at the launch of the 2012-13 RaboDirect Pro12 in Glasgow on Tuesday and spoke candidly when asked about the captaincy.

He said in the Irish Examiner: "I really enjoyed doing it. I've done it for six years now. It’s something I thoroughly enjoyed, probably not as much in the first few years as I did in the last few years, but I think it might be time for a change at Munster.

"I've done it for a long time, Rob (Penney) is coming in as a new coach and it might be a time for change, but it’s undecided at the moment. We might take another week or so to figure of what we’re going to do, so we’ll see what happens."

O'Connell, who is recovering from a serious knee injury, admitted that without the captaincy he would have more time to concentrate on his own game saying: "When you’re captain, at times you are keeping an eye on everything else and maybe not keeping an eye on yourself as much as you’d like to."

"I've had six years of it now, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I loved doing it but it might be time for change and for someone else to take it on."

New head coach Penney added: "Paul is a magnificent leader in his own right and a magnificent man and a critical member of Irish and Munster rugby.

"We haven’t confirmed our captain as yet and that process is ongoing."

Source: RTE Sport

Leamy Announces Retirement

Denis Leamy will retire from rugby at the end of the season due to a persistent hip injury.

The 30-year-old Ireland and Munster back row forward was limited to three RaboDirect PRO12 games and Munster's four opening games in the Heineken Cup this season.

Leamy won the first of his 144 Munster caps in September 2001 and played in both the 2006 and 2008 Heineken Cup finals. Capped 57 times by Ireland, he played in two World cups, was twice a Triple Crown winner and was a member of the 2009 Grand Slam winning side.

Leamy said: "I find it hard to put into words how much it has meant to me to play for Munster and Ireland.

"It was a dream come true and I was very lucky to play with some of the greatest players ever to wear the jerseys and blessed that I was part of winning teams.

"I've had a great career, wish it had gone on a little longer but I'd like to thank all the coaches, players, medical staff and management who have helped me over the past decade. It's been a great honour to be involved with such an outstanding group of people."

"I'd also like to thank the fans most sincerely. I fully appreciate the sacrifices they've made, spending their hard earned cash to cheer us on, be it Munster or Ireland, at home games and all over Europe. Their support has been truly fantastic and a memory I'll carry forever."

Munster Rugby Chief Executive Garrett Fitzgerald said: "We are obviously very disappointed that Denis has been forced to call it a day particularly when he is in the prime of his career. An outstanding back-row player throughout his career, I believe his contribution to Munster and Irish rugby has been inestimable.

“His fierce determination on the field was mirrored by his work ethic off it and he leaves Munster rugby with our gratitude and best wishes for the future."

Penney Drops with Munster

New Zealander Rob Penney is to succeed Tony McGahan as Munster's head coach next season.

Anthony Foley, who had been tipped for the top job, will stay on as forwards coach but the rest of Penney's backroom team has still to be finalised.

Penney has been in charge of Canterbury since 2006 and has guided the club to four successive ITM Cup titles.

He will coach the New Zealand Under-20 side when they defend the Junior World Championship in South Africa in June.

Penney, who has been given a two-year contract, is expected in Munster in mid-July, subject to him securing a valid work permit.

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald said they had carried out a thorough seach for a new coach.

"We were delighted with the calibre of the candidates. Rob Penney's record speaks for itself and we look forward to welcoming him to Munster," he said.

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Ferris Faces Big Munster Test

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has been named in the team to face Munster in the Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Ferris has received treatment on an ankle injury and coach Brian McLaughlin said he was "hopeful" he would be play in the Thomond Park clash.

Lock Dan Tuohy replaces Lewis Stevenson in the only Ulster change.

Munster make seven changes with Mike Sherry, Tommy O'Donnell, Denis Hurley, Conor Murray, Wian du Preez, Paul O'Connell and Donnacha Ryan coming in.

Munster coach Tony McGahan hands first Heineken Cup starts to hooker Sherry and wing-forward O'Donnell.

“He brings a great deal to this team and gives the players around him a massive lift”Brian McLaughlinUlster coach

Sherry made three Heineken Cup appearances from the bench last season while O'Donnell's only appearance at this level came when he replaced James Coughlan in the 77th minute of the game against Scarlets in December.

O'Donnell is preferred to David Wallace, who is named on the bench.

Prop Wian du Preez starts his seventh consecutive Heineken Cup game while Ireland locks Donnacha Ryan and Paul O'Connell return from injury.

Centre Nevin Spence replaces Ian Whitten in the Ulster replacements.

"It will be an unbelievably physical battle," said McLaughlin.

"Munster will be smarting from their defeat to Leinster and they will want to make up for that by beating us.

"Stephen will play subject to fitness. At this stage we are hopeful that he will be available and a lot of credit should go to our medical team and physios for getting him into this position.

"He brings a great deal to this team and gives the players around him a massive lift. That is what we need going into a game like this.

""We are as close to full strength as possible so it wasn't an easy job picking the squad. We only have 23 slots and there are a few disappointed boys.

"Everyone has been working hard over the past few months and some are unlucky to miss out."

Ferris limped off during the first half of last Friday's Pro12 win over Aironi at Ravenhill.

A scan on Monday revealed that Ferris had sustained significant ligament and muscle damage.

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, K Earls, L Mafi, S Zebo; R O'Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O'Connell; P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan.

Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, S Archer, D O'Callaghan, D Wallace, T O'Leary, I Keatley, J Murphy.

Ulster: S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg.

Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, P Marshall, N Spence, A D'Arcy.

Tony McGahan to Join Wallabies

Tony McGahan of Munster is expected to be ratified as the new Wallabies defence coach at an Australian Rugby Union (ARU) board meeting on Friday. Munster this morning confirmed he is leaving the province at the end of the current season, having privately informed the playing staff of his decision this week.

McGahan had been offered a rolling one year-contract with the province but the lure of working with Robbie Deans and the Wallabies proved too tempting for the Australian.

McGahan initially arrived at Thomond Park in 2005 as defence coach before going on to take over the reins from Declan Kidney three years later.

Last year, he guided his side to a celtic league win, but saw them bow out of the Heineken Cup in the pool stages. They responded to that this year, by winning six from six in the first round.

Under Deans, McGahan will be joining up with former Munster great Jim Williams, who many Munster would fans would see as an ideal replacement for the outgoing Australian.

Given his current commitments, however, and Munster’s habit of promoting from within, a successor is likely to be chosen from closer to home, with current forwards/defence coach and former Ireland number eight Anthony Foley the early favourite.

However, external candidates like former Ireland manager Eddie O’Sullivan and former Italy boss John Kirwan are available and, no doubt, willing.

Harlequins coach Conor O’Shea recently agreed an extension with the club until 2014, but Queenslander Steve Meehan, formerly of Bath, might also be considered a candidate.

Ulster Score Emphatic Ravenhill Win

Ravenhill witnessed a comprehensive display by Ulster that yielded an emphatic victory, together with a bonus point, as Munster floundered in this RaboDirect Pro12 clash.

Ian Humphreys ended the night scoring 15 of the home side's points - from a try, two conversions and two penalties.

His effort supplemented first half tries form Stefan Terblanche and John Afoa, with the scoring being completed by Ruan Pienaar.

Ulster opened the scoring with a Humphreys penalty on six minutes after Munster were caught offside after chasing up an Ian Keatley up and under.

But it was the visitors who crossed the line first after some muscular work from Stephen Archer, Mick O'Driscoll and Ian Nagle saw the ball delivered to Keatley, whose cross-kick to the unmarked Luke O'Dea saw the young winger make it in at the right corner.

Referee Alain Rolland went upstairs to the TMO but the try was awarded and Keatley then nailed a great conversion to give Munster a 7-3 lead after only 13 minutes.

Seven minutes later and a Humphreys penalty narrowed Munster's lead to a single point before a great Darren Cave break put Terblanche into space and the former Springbok winger, on his first starting appearance for Ulster since arriving as a temporary replacement for the injured Jared Payne, slid in at the left corner.

Humphreys added a great conversion and Ulster led 13-7 after 25 minutes. A penalty which came in off the upright from Keatley narrowed Ulster's lead but he was then wide with a 34th minute effort.

Ulster struck next when Terblanche broke into Munster's half and a great handling movement saw him pop up again from Paddy McCallister's pass and though the veteran South African was held, the ball was recycled and All Black World Cup winner Afoa crashed over.

Humphreys' conversion made it 20-10 to the home side, which is how the half finished.

Four minutes after the restart and Ulster struck again - this time after Munster had won a free-kick from a lineout and opted for the scrum. Ulster put in a huge shove and Willie Faloon emptied Duncan Williams which saw the ball go loose.

Humphreys then hacked it through and managed to follow it up to score to the right of the posts from just outside the 22. However, the outside-half then missed the conversion and Ulster led 25-10.

Humphreys then saw a 49th-minute penalty rebound off the post and stay out, however Ulster grabbed their bonus point score five minutes later.

The try again came from a disrupted scrum with Chris Henry this time burying Williams to allow Ruan Pienaar to pick up and run in from just inside the Munster half.

Humphreys missed the difficult conversion from the left corner but Ulster led 30-10.

The game then lost a bit of pattern as both sides began to empty their benches, although a worrying sign for Ulster was Paddy McCallister being helped from the field just after the hour mark.

Humphreys was also removed from the action just before the 70-minute mark, which saw Pienaar move to outside-half just as he had done at Aironi.

The South African then took over the kicking duties and slotted a 74th-minute effort to stretch Ulster's lead to 33-10.

Munster's Johne Murphy crept over for a consolation score right at the death, which Keatley converted.

Munster Move Top on Scarlets Win

Munster moved five points clear at the top of Pool One of the Heineken Cup after edging out the Scarlets.

Ronan O'Gara fired over two penalties to help the hosts into a 6-3 half-time lead at a sunny Thomond Park.

Munster took control with James Coughlan's converted try after Jonathan Edwards was sin-binned.

The hosts moved 19-6 ahead but the Scarlets fought back and Rhys Priestland coverted a Ken Owens try to secure a valuable losing bonus point.

The visitors enjoyed early possession but Munster took the lead from an O'Gara penalty after their first venture into the Scarlets half on five minutes.

Jones deservedly levelled eight minutes later as the Scarlets continually found gaps in the Munster line.

The Scarlets pressed Munster back but typically stout defending from the hosts and handling errors thwarted chances of a try.

Munster rarely threatened although they moved back in front five minutes from the break with an O'Gara penalty after a series of scrum collapses.

Jones pushed a penalty attempt wide two minutes while Munster almost scored a try on the stroke of half-time.

The ball was moved wide and Simon Zebo darted through but he was held up just before the line and then rightly penalised when he pushed the ball over the line in a double movement.

The Scarlets were forced into a half-time change with Viliame Iongi replacing Stephen Jones, who suffered a blow to the head.

O'Gara hit the upright with a penalty just after the restart but he made no mistake with another attempt two minutes later.

Priestland assumed kicking duties for the Scarlets in Jones's absence although he missed with his first penalty.

Munster dominated after Jonathan Edwards was sin-binned on 51 minutes for denying the hosts a try in the corner.

From the resulting line-out Munster drove over the line with Coughlan touching down and O'Gara converting.

Priestland fired over a penalty but O'Gara quickly replied to put Munster 19-6 ahead.

The Scarlets mounted a comeback and Edwards was denied a try because of a double movement before Owens went over from close range for a converted try after 66 minutes.

The Welsh team were now on top but Rhys Thomas was yellow-carded in the dying seconds before Munster secured their fourth straight victory in Pool One.

The Scarlets face Northampton in their next pool game, which takes place on 14 January, with Munster hosting Castres on the same day.TEAM DETAILS:

Munster: D Hurley; J Murphy, K Earls, L Mafi, S Zebo; R O'Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell capt; D Leamy, N Ronan, J Coughlan.

Replacements: T O'Leary for Murray (64), M Horan for du Preez (71), D Ryan for Leamy (64), T O'Donnell for Coughlan (76).

Not Used: D Fogarty, S Archer, I Keatley, D Barnes.

Scarlets: R Priestland; L Williams, S Williams, J Davies, S Lamont; S Jones, G Davies; R Jones, M Rees (capt), R Thomas, L Reed, D Welch, R McCusker, J Edwards, B Morgan.

Replacements: G Maule for L. Williams (64), V Iongi for S. Jones (41), T Knoyle for G Davies (68), P John for R. Jones (68), K Owens for M Rees (64), S Timani for Welch (68).

Not Used: D Manu, K Murphy.

Sin Bin: J Edwards (51), R Thomas (80).

Att: 26,500

Ref: Dave Pearson (RFU)