WATCH: Munster Rugby stunned by five-try Edinburgh in URC try-fest

MUNSTER Rugby's 10-game winning run in the United Rugby Championship at Virgin Media Park came to a shuddering halt as Edinburgh Rugby inflicted a deserved 34-28 defeat on their hosts in front of a sold-out attendance of 8,800 on Friday night.

Edinburgh were good value for their first away win in the URC since last April although Munster, who were left to rue a poor second quarter, did hit back late on to salvage both try and losing bonus points.

The last side to beat Munster in Cork prior to kick-off on Friday was Edinburgh in November 2019.

The defeat saw five-try Edinburgh end their five-game losing run against Munster as winger Matt Currie helped himself to three of their five tries.

The Scottish side, who trailed 3-7 at the end of the first quarter, scored four unanswered tries in the second quarter to take control of the contest when leading 29-7 at half-time. 

The defeat is a blow to Munster's hopes of securing a home quarter-final in the URC. 

This was the end of a seismic week of announcements for the province with confirmation that Clayton McMillan has been appointed as the province’s new Head Coach on a three-year contract, succeeding Graham Rowntree in the role.

"On his return to the Munster team!" ️

Alex Nankivell is back and he has opened the scoring for @Munsterrugby in Cork pic.twitter.com/NpGLAqvX9t

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 28, 2025

New Zealander McMillan will take up his role in July on completion of the 2025 Super Rugby season. He is currently Head Coach of New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Chiefs.

Wonder if he got up early on Saturday morning to watch Munster in action what he made of their performance?

The days leading up to Friday night's encounter were also dominated by the announcements on Thursday that long-serving Munster scrum-half Conor Murray, who is retiring from international rugby at the end of the current Six Nations Championship, will be moving away from the province this summer to take up a playing opportunity abroad.

And talismanic flanker Peter O'Mahony is to retire from playing at the end of this season.

80 nóim #MUNEDI@Munsterrugby - 28@EdinburghRugby - 34

Pointe bónais faighte ag na Muimhnigh le Sean O'Brien ag aimsiú an úd sa gcúinne

Munster get the losing bonus point, as Sean O'Brien gets the try in the corner@URCOfficial @Pinergy @IrishRugby#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/lF3zI4sjXT

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 28, 2025

On a perfect night for rugby, it was visitors Edinburgh who bagged the first points when Ross Thompson landed a fifth minute penalty. 

Back came Munster, however, and the home side hit the front when their New Zealand centre Alex Nankivell dotted down in the 14th. Nankivell was making his return from injury and lining out for the province for the first time since December. 

Out-half Billy Burns duly added the extras and the home side was suddenly 7-3 to the good.

However, that was as good as it got for Munster in the opening half as Edinburgh took a firm grip of the game in the 12 minutes leading up to half-time.

The Scottish side blitzed Munster, racking up 26 unanswered points, including three tries, to have the bonus point in safe-keeping by the mid-way point.

Out-half Thompson sparked the period of dominance for the visitors when the play-maker scampered over in the 23rd minute. He also converted the score for good measure.

Right winger Matt Currie then took advantage of some poor home defence by scoring two tries in a blistering six minute spell as the complexion of the scoreboard changed utterly.

A clinical Edinburgh side were quickly 22-7 in front with Thompson converting one of the tries.

Munster's second quarter tale of woe was complete when Edinburgh number eight Magnus Bradbury powered over for the Scottish side's bonus point try. 

Trailing by 22 points at the break, Munster were left facing a mountain to climb in the second period.

The home side sprung forwards Alex Kendellen and John Ryan from the replacements bench at half-time, while hooker Diamruid Barron joined the fray within six minutes of the restart.

Munster needed to score next to have even a glimmer of producing a monumental comeback and they managed that when Nankivell grabbed his second try of the game in the 51st minute after slick hands from Burns and Tom Farrell.

Burns also added the conversion for 29-14.

However, the scrum continued to provide a source of joy for Edinburgh as the visitors continued to win penalties at set-piece time. 

A fifth Edinburgh try followed in the 57th minute as Currie completed his ha-trick. The Edinburgh lead was out to 20 points. 

Needing an unlikely three converted tries to record the most unlikely of wins, the home side had the first seven-pointer secured when full-back Ben O'Connor scampered over in the 64th minute. 

Replacement Tony Butler added the conversion to make it 34-21. A glimmer of hope for the home side. 

Edinburgh were reduced to 14 players when replacement hooker Harrison was sin-binned with five minutes remaining. 

Munster interim head coach Ian Costello on his side's defeat against Edinburgh

"Really disappointed. Really poor performance, our poorest for a long time." ️ pic.twitter.com/AwuV1Em4j5

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 28, 2025

Munster did salvage two bonus points at the death as replacement Sean O'Brien collected Nankivell's beautifully-weighted crossfield kick to score with Burns showing admirable composure to secure the losing bonus point with the conversion.

SCORERS: Munster Rugby: Alex Nankivell two tries, Ben O'Connor, Sean O'Brien try each, Billy Burns three cons, Tony Butler con. Edinburgh: Matt Currie three tries, Ross Thompson try, pen, three cons, Magnus Bradbury try. 

MUNSTER RUGBY: Ben O'Connor (Highfield RFC/PBC), Calvin Nash (Young Munster RFC/Crescent College Comp), Tom Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), Alex Nankivell (Christchurch Boys High School), Shay McCarthy (Richmond RFC/St Munchin’s College), Billy Burns (Beechen Cliff), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Niall Scannell (PBC), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC); Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Castletroy College), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Tom Ahern ((Youghal RFC/Dungarvan RFC/Waterpark RFC), John Hodnett (Clonakilty RFC), Brian Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College) Replacements: Sean O'Brien (Mullingar RFC) for Nash (injured), Alex Kendellen (PBC) for O'Connell, Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution FC) for Ryan (all half-time), Diarmuid Barron (Cashel RFC/Rockwell College) for Scannell (46 mins), Paddy Patterson (Blackrock College) for Coughlan (52 mins), Mark Donnelly (Midleton RFC) for Josh Wycherley (55 mins), Ruadhán Quinn (Ballina-Killaloe RFC) for Gleeson, Tony Butler (Ennis RFC) for Burns (both 60 mins), Billy Burns for Butler (injured 75 mins).

EDINBURGH RUGBY: Wes Goosen, Matt Currie, James Lang, Mosese Tuipulotu, Ross McCann, Ross Thompson, Ben Vellacott (Capt), Boan Venter, Ewan Ashman, Paul Hill, Marshall Sykes, Sam Skinner, Luke Crosbie, Ben Muncaster, Magnus Bradbury. Replacements: Hamish Watson for Crosbie (injured, 3 mins), Paddy Harrison for Ashman (half-time), Robin Hislop for Venter, D'arcy Rae for Hill, Glen Young for Sykes, Mark Bennett for Currie (all 65 mins), Ali Price for Vellacott (67 mins), Cammy Scott for Tuipulotu (75 mins), Ewan Ashman for Muncaster (78 mins).

REFEREE: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)