2015–16 Munster Rugby season

The 2015–16 Munster Rugby season was Munster's fifteenth season competing in the Pro12 alongside which they also competed in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was Anthony Foley's second season as head coach.

2015–16 Munster Rugby season
Ground(s)Thomond Park
Musgrave Park (Capacity: 26,500
8,500)
Coach(es)Anthony Foley
Captain(s)Peter O'Mahony
League(s)Pro 12
2015–166th
1st kit
2nd kit

Events

Munster opened their pre-season with a 29–38 defeat to Grenoble in a friendly at Thomond Park on 14 August.[1] A week later on 21 August, Munster suffered a 28–12 defeat to Connacht in their second pre-season friendly at Thomond Park.[2] On 28 August, Munster defeated London Irish 21–15 at Irish Independent Park in their final warm-up match for the new season.[3]

The new Pro12 season was launched in London on 24 August. Munster began the new season with an 18–13 win against Benetton Treviso in Cork on 5 September.[4][5] Munster were captained by CJ Stander in the opening match, where he also scored two second-half tries and earned the Man-of-the-Match award.[6]

In January, Andy Farrell joined the province in an advisory role on a part-time basis over four months before taking up his four-year contract with Ireland in the summer[7]

On 25 March, Simon Zebo scored two tries against Zebre to bring his total to 43 tries in 97 provincial appearances.[8] In doing so, he overtook Anthony Horgan's try-scoring record of 41 for Munster.[9][10]

On 24 April, it was announced that Johan Erasmus will join Munster as the newly created Director of Rugby role in a three-year deal beginning on July 1.[11][12]

On 7 May, Munster secured their place in 2016-17 Champions Cup after a 31–15 victory over the Scarlets at Thomond Park earned them a sixth-place finish in the Pro12.[13][14][15][16][17][18]

On 2 June, Munster Rugby announced a forecasted deficit of €1.9 million for the year ending 30 June 2016 at their Annual General Meeting in Limerick.[19]

Coaching and management staff 2015–16

Position Name Nationality
Head Coach Anthony Foley  Ireland
Team Manager Niall O'Donovan  Ireland
Scrum Coach Jerry Flannery  Ireland
Backs Coach Brian Walsh  Ireland
Assistant Coach Ian Costello  Ireland
Technical Advisor Mick O'Driscoll  Ireland
Head of Fitness Aled Walters  Wales
Strength & Conditioning Coach Aidan O'Connell  Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach Adam Sheehan  Ireland
Performance Analyst George Murray  Ireland
Operations Manager Bryan Murphy  Ireland

Senior Playing Squad 2015–16

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Duncan Casey Hooker Ireland
Kevin O'Byrne Hooker Ireland
Niall Scannell Hooker Ireland
Mike Sherry Hooker Ireland
Stephen Archer Prop Ireland
BJ Botha Prop South Africa
James Cronin Prop Ireland
Dave Kilcoyne Prop Ireland
Peter McCabe Prop Ireland
John Ryan Prop Ireland
Mario Sagario Prop Uruguay
Mark Chisholm Lock Australia
Dave Foley Lock Ireland
Billy Holland Lock Ireland
Donncha O'Callaghan Lock Ireland
Donnacha Ryan Lock Ireland
Shane Buckley Flanker Ireland
Jordan Coghlan Flanker Ireland
Sean Doyle Flanker Australia
Dave O'Callaghan Flanker Ireland
Tommy O'Donnell Flanker Ireland
Peter O'Mahony (c) Flanker Ireland
Robin Copeland Number 8 Ireland
Jack O'Donoghue Number 8 Ireland
CJ Stander Number 8 South Africa
Player Position Union
Conor Murray Scrum-half Ireland
Tomás O'Leary Scrum-half Ireland
Cathal Sheridan Scrum-half Ireland
Duncan Williams Scrum-half Ireland
Jonathan Holland Fly-half Ireland
Ian Keatley Fly-half Ireland
Cian Bohane Centre Ireland
Tyler Bleyendaal Centre New Zealand
Matt D'Arcy Centre Ireland
Keith Earls Centre Ireland
Denis Hurley Centre Ireland
Francis Saili Centre New Zealand
Lucas González Amorosino Wing Argentina
Andrew Conway Wing Ireland
Shane Monahan Wing Ireland
Ronan O'Mahony Wing Ireland
Darren Sweetnam Wing Ireland
Gerhard van den Heever Wing South Africa
Simon Zebo Wing Ireland
Felix Jones Fullback Ireland
  • Internationally capped players in bold.
  • Players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. *
  • Irish provinces are currently limited to 4 non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and 1 non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player").

2015–16 Pro12

The new Pro12 season began on 5 September.

5 September 2015
19:45
Munster 18–13 Benetton Treviso (1 BP)
Try: Stander (2) 46' m, 53' c
Con: Keatley (1/2)
Pen: Keatley (2/3) 6', 25'
Report Try: Budd 10' c
Con: Hayward (1/1)
Pen: Hayward (2/3) 71', 80'
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 5,425
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
13 September 2015
14:30
(1 BP) Ospreys 18–20 Munster
Pen: Davies (6/6) 9', 35', 40', 46', 62', 70'
Report Try: Fitzgerald 52' c
Stander 79' c
Con: Bleyendaal (1/1)
Keatley (1/1)
Pen: Bleyendaal (2/2) 12', 31'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 8,107
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)
2 October 2015
18:00
Munster 23–21 Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: O'Callaghan 28' c
Botha 66' c
Con: Keatley (2/2)
Pen: Keatley (3/4) 19', 40', 77'
Report Pen: Clegg (6/7) 12', 32', 38', 51', 55', 60'
Drop: Clegg (1/1) 74'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 11,713
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
23 October 2015
19:05
Scarlets 25–22 Munster (1 BP)
Try: Van der Merwe 41' m
T. Williams 53' m
Pen: S. Shingler (5/6) 27', 40', 60', 77', 80'
Report Try: Conway 25' c
Con: Keatley (1/1)
Pen: Keatley (4/6) 5', 29', 48', 72'
Drop: Keatley (1/2) 58'
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,466
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
30 October 2015
18:00
(1 BP) Munster 32–28 Ulster (2 BP)
Try: Conway 16' c
Copeland 29' c
Van den Heever 33' m
Hurley 60' m
Zebo 65' m
Con: Keatley (2/5)
Pen: Keatley (1/1) 49'
Report Try: Gilroy (2) 2' m, 26' m
Williams 38' m
Tuohy 67' c
Con: Pad. Jackson (1/4)
Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 20'
Drop: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 45'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 13,039
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
7 November 2015
17:15
(1 BP) Edinburgh 14–16 Munster
Try: Helu 46' m
Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (3/3) 10', 39', 56'
Report Try: J. Ryan 7' c
Con: Keatley (1/1)
Pen: Keatley (3/4) 29', 61', 67'
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 4,981
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
28 November 2015
17:15
(1 BP) Munster 12–18 Connacht
Try: Scannell 20' m
penalty try 65' c
Con: Keatley (1/2)
Report Try: O'Halloran 17' c
Aki 77' m
Con: Ronaldson (1/2)
Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 11', 58'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 15,143
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
6 December 2015
14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons 22–6 Munster
Try: Landman 77' c
Con: D. Jones (1/1)
Pen: D. Jones (3/4) 1', 30', 64'
Tovey (1/1) 80'
Drop: D. Jones (1/3) 43'
Report Pen: R. Scannell (2/2) 13', 38'
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,571
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
27 December 2015
17:15
Munster 7–24 Leinster
Try: Copeland 37' c
Con: R. Scannell (1/1)
Report Try: Nacewa 3' c
J. McGrath 54' c
Kirchner 80' c
Con: Madigan (3/3)
Pen: Madigan (1/1) 14'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 25,600
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
2 January 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Ulster 7–9 Munster
Try: Ludik 23' c
Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1)
Report Pen: Keatley (2/2) 8', 60'
Drop: Keatley (1/1) 57'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,211
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
30 January 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Zebre 12–16 Munster
Pen: Haimona (4/5) 12', 15', 19', 29'
Report Try: Chisholm 5' c
Con: Keatley (1/1)
Pen: Keatley (2/4) 21', 36'
Drop: Keatley (1/1) 71'
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,400
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)
14 February 2016
17:00
(1 BP) Munster 17–21 Ospreys
Try: Williams 11' c
Saili 26' m
Copeland 50' m
Con: Keatley (1/3)
Report Try: S. Davies 24' c
Watkin 59' m
Con: S. Davies (1/2)
Pen: S. Davies (3/4) 37', 55', 77'
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 7,791
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
19 February 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors 27–24 Munster (1 BP)
Try: Puafisi (2) 4' c, 7' c
Weir 43' m
G. Bryce 70' m
Con: Weir (2/4)
Pen: Weir (1/3) 62'
Report Try: Kilcoyne (2) 11' c, 23' c
Sherry 63' c
Con: Keatley (3/3)
Pen: Keatley (1/1) 17'
Rugby Park[20]
Attendance: 7,212
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
28 February 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Benetton Treviso 13–16 Munster
Try: Barbieri 25' c
Con: Hayward (1/1)
Pen: Hayward (2/2) 52', 64'
Report Try: Van den Heever 11' m
Saili 57' m
Pen: Keatley (2/2) 68', 75'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
5 March 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Munster 26–5 Newport Gwent Dragons
Try: Kilcoyne (2) 18' m, 43' c
R. Scannell 32' c
Cronin 77' c
Con: Keatley (2/3)
J. Holland (1/1)
Report Try: Amos 46' m
Thomond Park
Attendance: 13,552
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
18 March 2016[21]
19:15
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues 37–28 Munster
Try: Cook 32' c
Rees 49' c
G. Smith 54' c
Patchell 73' c
Con: Patchell (4/4)
Pen: Patchell (2/2) 10', 43'
J. Evans (1/1) 80'
Report Try: Sweetnam 6' m
Sherry 52' c
O'Donoghue 78' c
Con: Keatley (1/2)
J. Holland (1/1)
Pen: Keatley (2/2) 3', 46'
J. Holland (1/1) 67'
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,017
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
25 March 2016
19:00
(1 BP) Munster 47–0 Zebre
Try: penalty try (2) 11' c, 73' c
R. O'Mahony 26' c
Zebo (2) 47' c, 53' c
Stander 55' m
Murray 64' c
Con: J. Holland (5/5)
Murray (1/2)
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 13,063
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)
2 April 2016
17:30
Leinster 16–13 Munster (1 BP)
Try: Sexton 36' c
Con: Sexton (1/1)
Pen: Sexton (3/3) 27', 50', 63'
Report Try: J. Holland 47' c
Con: J. Holland (1/1)
Pen: J. Holland (2/2) 12', 31'
Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 43,108
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
16 April 2016
19:15
(1 BP) Connacht 35–14 Munster
Try: Adeolokun (2) 36' c, 54' m
penalty try 40' c
Bealham 65' c
Con: O'Leary (3/4)
Pen: O'Leary (3/3) 8', 18', 80'
Report Try: Zebo 10' c
Sherry 23' c
Con: J. Holland (2/2)
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 7,786
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
29 April 2016
19:35
(1 BP) Munster 27–19 Edinburgh
Try: R. Scannell 6' c
Zebo 27' m
Conway 33' m
Saili 76' c
Con: J. Holland (2/4)
Pen: J. Holland (1/1) 21'
Report Try: Tovey 18' c
Con: Tovey (1/1)
Pen: Tovey (3/4) 14', 37', 43'
Hidalgo-Clyne (1/1) 64'
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 8,200
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
7 May 2016
15:00
(1 BP) Munster 31–15 Scarlets
Try: Saili 13' c
R. Scannell (2) 25' m, 78' c
R. O'Mahony 59' m
Stander 68' m
Con: J. Holland (2/5)
Report Pen: S. Shingler (5/5) 9', 21', 28', 37', 64'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,929
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup

The draw for the 2015-16 European Rugby Champions Cup was held on 17 June. Munster will face Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers and Benetton Treviso.[22] Munster opened their campaign on 14 November against Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park and won the game on a 32-7 scoreline with a bonus point secured after a late try by Simon Zebo in a match played in wet and windy conditions.[23][24][25] On 17 November, Stade Français postponed their Champions Cup clash with Munster on the 22 November in the wake of the Paris attacks.[26][27] On 12 December, Munster lost to Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park by 31–19.[28][29][30][31][32] On 9 January, Munster were eliminated from the European Rugby Champions Cup after a 27–7 defeat to Stade Français in Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris.[33] Stade Francais played 40 minutes of the game with 14 men after Josaia Raisuqe's received a red card but outscored their Munster 17-7 during that period.[34][35][36][37] A week later on 16 January, Munster defeated Stade Français at Thomond Park 26-13 to avoid a fourth straight defeat in the competition.[38][39][40][41] Munster finished their European Champions Cup campaign with a bonus-point triumph away to Treviso on 24 January.[42][43][44][45]

Team
P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
Leicester Tigers (2) 650118591+9424113023
Stade Français (7) 6402186118+6825173019
Munster 6303118100+1815113015
Benetton Treviso 600653233–180833000
14 November 2015
17:15
(1 BP) Munster 32–7 Benetton Treviso
Try: Botha 4' c
Stander 55' m
Casey 68' c
Zebo 75' c
Con: Keatley (3/4) 5', 69', 77'
Pen: Keatley (2/2) 19', 48'
Report Try: Steyn 16' c
Con: Hayward (1/1) 16'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 17,763
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
12 December 2015
19:45
Munster 19–31 Leicester Tigers
Try: Cronin 41' m
Sherry 66' m
Con: Keatley (0/2)
Pen: Keatley (3/4) 13', 18', 45'
Report Try: Goneva 33' m
Fitzgerald 37' c
B. Youngs 53' c
Con: O. Williams (2/3) 39', 54'
Pen: O. Williams (2/2) 1', 28'
Bell (2/2) 69', 75'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 22,261
Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)
20 December 2015
17:15
Leicester Tigers 17–6 Munster
Try: Slater 23' c
Goneva 65' c
Con: Burns (2/2) 24', 66'
Pen: Burns (1/2) 35'
Report Pen: Keatley (2/4) 6', 40'
Welford Road
Attendance: 21,645
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
9 January 2016
17:45
Stade Français 27–7 Munster
Try: Williams 32' c
Macalou 66' c
Bonneval 70' c
Con: Steyn (3/3) 33', 67', 72'
Pen: Steyn (2/3) 36', 54'
Report Try: Murray 74' c
Con: R. Scannell (1/1) 75'
Stade Jean-Bouin
Attendance: 13,820
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
16 January 2016
13:00
(1 BP) Munster 26–13 Stade Français
Try: Sherry 18' m
Earls 39' c
Zebo 41' c
Stander 67' c
Con: Keatley (3/4) 40', 42', 68'
Report Try: Ross 62' c
Con: Steyn (1/1) 63'
Pen: Steyn (2/3) 1', 36'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,884
Referee: JP Doyle (RFU)
24 January 2016
14:00
Benetton Treviso 5–28 Munster (1 BP)
Try: Lazzaroni 36' m
Report Try: R. O'Mahony (2) 4' c, 65' c
Kilcoyne 16' c
Murray 49' c
Con: Keatley (4/4) 4', 16', 49', 66'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,200
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)

References

  1. "Try-Fest In Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  2. "Under Par Munster As Connacht Take Spoils At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 21 August 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  3. "Munster Return To Winning Ways In Cork". Munster Rugby. 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  4. "Squad Update". Munster Rugby. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  5. "Munster need Stander double to edge past Italians in season opener". Irish Independent. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  6. "Shaky Start For Munster". munsterrugby.ie. 6 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  7. "Munster confirm 'advisory role' for Andy Farrell with immediate effect". Irish Examiner. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  8. "Record breaker Simon Zebo the toast of Thomond as Munster comprehensively beat Zebre". Irish Independent. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  9. "Record Win Recorded In Thomond". munsterrugby.ie. 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  10. "Munster crush Zebre to keep play-off hopes alive". Irish Examiner. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  11. "Johan Erasmus appointed as Munster Director of Rugby". Irish Independent. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  12. "'I'd like to be coaching here in 20 years' time' - Foley". The 42. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  13. "Munster claim last Champions Cup spot with victory over Scarlets". RTE Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  14. "Munster 31-15 Scarlets". BBC Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  15. "Munster deliver when it matters most". Irish Examiner. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  16. "Munster and Foley finally see some light". Irish Independent. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  17. "Season over early, but Stander excited by prospect of fresh start for Munster". The 42. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  18. "Five-try win in Thomond sees Munster secure Champions Cup rugby". The 42. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  19. "Munster Rugby announce forecasted deficit of €1.9 million". The 42. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  20. "Munster game moved to Rugby Park and switched to Friday night". Glasgow Warriors. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  21. "New date for Munster game confirmed". Cardiff Blues. Cardiff Rugby Football Club Ltd. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  22. "Munster Drawn In Pool 4". Munster Rugby. 17 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  23. "European Champions Cup: Munster 32-7 Benetton Treviso". BBC Sport. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  24. "Munster 32-7 Benetton Treviso: as it happened". The 42. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  25. "Munster get the job done with winning start against Benetton Treviso". Irish Examiner. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  26. "Stade Francais postpone Champions Cup game against Munster". Irish Independent. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  27. "European Rugby Champions Cup: Stade Francais-Munster game off". BBC Sport. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  28. "European Champions Cup: Munster 19-31 Leicester". BBC Sport. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  29. "Munster 19-31 Leicester: as it happened". The 42. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  30. "Munster fail to trouble Tigers". Irish Independent. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  31. "George Hook: Munster boo-boys were aiming ire at Anthony Foley for allowing Ian Keatley to disintegrate". Irish Independent. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  32. "Conor Murray insists he has faith in Anthony Foley's plan of attack". Irish Independent. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  33. "Munster exit with a whimper as Stade expose gulf in class". Irish Independent. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  34. "Embarrassing, humiliating disgraceful' – Alan Quinlan calls for Munster reform following European exit". Irish Independent. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  35. "Glory days a memory as Munster in meltdown". Irish Examiner. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  36. "Stade Francais v Munster: as it happenened". The 42. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  37. "European Champions Cup: Stade Francais 27-7 Munster". BBC Sport. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  38. "European Champions Cup: Munster 26-13 Stade Francais". BBC Sport. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  39. "Anthony Foley content as Munster's magic returns". Irish Examiner. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  40. "Stander's quality helps Munster to restore some pride". Irish Independent. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  41. "'Munster had the hunger, passion and desire they were lacking last week' - Alan Quinlan". Irish Independent. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  42. "European Champions Cup: Benetton Treviso 5-28 Munster". BBC Sport. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  43. "As it happened: Benetton Treviso 5-28 Munster". The 42. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  44. "Munster rue what might have been…". Irish Examiner. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  45. "O'Mahony double helps Munster see off Treviso". Limerick Leader. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
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