Misfiring Munster Rugby stunned by history-making Zebre Parma in URC

MISFIRING Munster Rugby were left stunned by six-try Zebre Parma in a shock 42-33 defeat to the Italian side at the Stadio Sergio Lanfrnachi in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Zebre racked up six tries and outscored Munster 27-5 in the second half to score their first ever victory over the Irish province in 21 fixtures.

Munster, narrow winners over Connacht in their season opener at Thomond Park, had won all 20 of their previous meetings with Zebre and were unbeaten against Italian opposition since 2013 before Saturday's loss in Parma

Zebre Parma, who were beating an Irish province for the first time since their 2018 win away to Connacht, had lost their previous fourteen BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures since their 22-22 draw with Cardiff in Parma in November 2023.

The defeat was only Munster's second in the URC in their last 13 fixtures.

2023 URC champions had a try bonus point secured by half-time against as tries from Gavin Coombes, who grabbed a brace from close range on his 100th appearance for the province, Mike Haley and Bryan Fitzgerald helped their side lead 28-15.

Munster had been dealt two injury blows in that opening half as backs Shane Daly and Thaakir Abrahams were forced off. Daly was replaced by Limerick centre Fitzgerald who was making his first competitive appearance for the province at this level.

Jacopo Trulla and Alessandro Fusco were the first-half try-scorers for the hosts.

Impressive Zebre scored 24 points without reply after the restart as Trulla and Fusco struck for their second tries and Giovanni Licata and Geronimo Prisciantelli also crossed the whitewash for the home side.

Shay McCarthy's touchdown, followed by Tony Butler's fourth conversion, gave Munster hope of a recovery. However, a late Giacomo Da Re penalty eased any nerves for the home side and ensured that their opponents left with a single try bonus point from the game.

SCORERS: Zebre Parma: Jacopo Trulla, Alessandro Fusco two tries each, Giovanni Licata, Geronimo Prisciantelli try each, Giovanni Montemauri three cons, pen, Giacomo Da Re pen. Munster Rugby: Gavin Coombes 2 tries, Mike Haley, Bryan Fitzgerald, Shane McCarthy try each, Tony Butler four cons. 

ZEBRE PARMA: Geronimo Prisciantelli, Jacopo Trulla, Giulio Bertaccini, Luca Morisi, Simone Gesi, Giovanni Montemauri, Alessandro Fusco, Danilo Fischetti (Capt), Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Matteo Nocera, Matteo Canali, Leonard Krumov, Davide Ruggeri, Samuele Locatelli, Giovanni Licata. Replacements: Juan Pitinari for Nocero (35-42 mins, 48 mins), Giacomo Ferrari for Licata (53 mins), Giampietro Ribaldi for Di Bartolomeo, Fetuli Paea for Luca Morisi, Luca Rizzoli for Fischetti (all 58 mins), Andrea Zambonin for Krumov (60 mins), Patricio Baronio Gauna for Fusco, Giacomo Da Re for Montemauri(both 62 mins).

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Shane Daly, Tom Farrell, Thaakir Abrahams; Tony Butler, Craig Casey; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (Capt), Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Bryan Fitzgerald for Daly (injured 6 mins), Shay McCarthy for Abrahams (injured, 25 mins), John Ryan for Jager (46 mins), Jeremy Loughman for Josh Wycherley (47 mins), Niall Scannell for Barron, Jack O'Donoghue for Quinn (both 52 mins),  Jack Daly for Fineen Wycherley (58 mins), Conor Murray for Butler (70 mins), Fineen Wycherley for Daly (70 mins).

REFEREE: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)