Munster Rugby fall to heavy URC interpro defeat to Ulster in snowy Belfast

Mike Haley, of Munster Rugby, is tackled by Nick Timoney, left, and Cormac Izuchukwu, of Ulster, during the URC derby fixture in Belfast on Friday night

placeholder image — Mike Haley, of Munster Rugby, is tackled by Nick Timoney, left, and Cormac Izuchukwu, of Ulster, during the URC derby fixture in Belfast on Friday night

Munster have sufferd back-to-back interpro defeats over Festive period as Ulster prevail 28-3 at the Affidea Stadium

MUNSTER Rugby have suffered disappointing back-to-back interprovincial defeats in the URC over the Festive period following their heavy 28-3 reverse at the hands of Ulster in snowy conditions at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Friday night.

Munster, who lost out 13-8 at home to Leinster six days earlier, were well in the game with Ulster when trailing by just three points, 3-6, at half-time.

However, the home side upped their performance level in the second period, scoring 22 unanswered points, including three tries, from Tom Stewart, Jake Flannery and Man of the Match Bryn Ward, to run out convincing winners.

Munster, who didn't help their cause with inaccurate kicking, have now lost three of their last four fixtures in the URC.

There are 10 personnel changes and one positional switch from the Munster side that faced Leinster at Thomond Park on Saturday last for the game against Ulster.

A victory on Friday night would have seen Clayton McMillan's side take over at the top of the table. Instead, they came away from Belfats empty-handed.

Next up for Munster Rugby is an Investec Champions Cup away date with RC Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol in France on Sunday, January 11, 1pm Irish time.

More to follow: -

ULSTER RUGBY: Jacob Stockdale, Werner Kok, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak, Angus Bell, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (Capt), Joe Hopes, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Bryn Ward. Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron (Capt), Michael Ala’alatoa, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen. Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Conor Bartley, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.

REFEREE: Mike Adamson (Scotland)