Munster player rating vs Bulls | 2025/26 URC quarterfinals

Clayton McMillan’s first season in charge came to a close in Pretoria with his side feeling the force of a rampant Vodacom bulls out 45 – 14.

Conceding two early tries, Munster showed plenty of desire to fight their back to within a score heading into the final stages of the first half.

Two relatively straight forward Bulls tries in 34th and 39th minutes to Johan Grobbelaar and Cameron Hanekom respectively undid all of their good work and in truth ended the fixture as a contest.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Bulls

45 - 14

Full-time

Munster

All Stats and Data

Despite taking their hosts through multiple phases, Munster were time and again turned away either through Bulls’ physicality or their own handling errors.

Coming into the contest shorn of several front liners most notably Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Edwin Edogbo, Jean Kleyn, Oli Jager, Tom Farrell and Calvin Nash. Munster always faced a daunting challenge against a Bulls side finding their best form late in the season.

Here are how the Munster players rated in Pretoria.

1. Jeremy Loughman – 4.5
Blitzed early at scrum time by Francois Klopper, Loughman did well to rebound and the very least allowed his side to clear the ball. In attack, the loosehead got his hands on the ball and got thumped a few times but still fronted up for his side.

2. Niall Scannell – 4
Missed Embrose Papier in a one-on-one situation which saw the Bulls scrumhalf scamper over for the opening try. At line-out time, Munster had a mixed bag with Scannell struggling to pick his way through the Bulls’ tall timber.

3. Michael Ala’alatoa – 3
Had his work cut out for him at scrum time against Springbok loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp. Despite coming up firmly second best in that department, the Samoan international was busy around the park in particular at the breakdown. On balance unfortunately he just could not get to the level required for his side to be competitive.

4. Thomas Ahern – N/A
Took a nasty hit in the 8th minute which saw him depart, fortunately on his own two feet after an extended period with the doctors.

5. Evan O’Connell – 6.5
No nonsense, physical and professional, the young lock did exceptionally well in what was his biggest opportunity to date. Going to the well time and again with carries into heavy traffic, O’Connell played his role in Munster’s multiphase attack.

6. Jack O’Donoghue – 8
Did exceptionally well to scrag Embrose Papier from a scrum in which his side were back pedalling at a rate of knots. Setting the standard in terms of taking the fight to the Bulls, the veteran backrow never took a backwards step. This combative presence was never more prominent than his close range carry to get Munster on the board.

7. John Hodnett – 7
To the fore once again for Munster, the backrow came agonisingly close to scoring his side’s first try through a powerful surge down the right flank. His removal from the action in the 47th minute felt a tad early given his impact, but he did look completely empty.

8. Brian Gleeson – 8
Under duress all day at scrum time, the dynamic youngster showed all of his class to not just get the ball out of a back pedalling scrum but make yards with each carry. Away from the scrum, he got the diesel motor running with carries over big Bulls’ bodies. His departure in the 47th minute with a knock was a major blow to Munster.

9. Craig Casey – 7.5
Irrespective of who is on the pitch, Casey has firmly entrenched himself as the key leader and long term captain in waiting for the province. Nailing when to release his backline, when to kick and when to simply let his pack control, Casey showed great maturity as his side’s chief decision maker.

10. JJ Hanrahan – 4
A mixed bag from the seasoned playmaker who kicked well both from the tee and the boot. Away from the kicking game, defensively he had a few moments he would want back notably for Cameron Hanekom’s try where he simply did not lay a hand on the backrow. In attack, he mixed in a few nice over the top passes but was not really a factor in the running game.

11. Shane Daly – 3
Completely anonymous in the first half with the action rarely coming his way. Started the second half a touch brighter but on the whole the normally busy winger was found wanting.

12. Sean O’Brien – 7
Building on his top quality outing against the Lions a fortnight prior, O’Brien linked beautifully with Nankivell in midfield. Drilling a superb 50:22 in the 50th minute set up Munster’s camp deep in the Bulls territory which they couldn’t capitalise on. Still O’Brien had a strong showing that he can take into the offseason.

13. Alex Nankivell – 8.5
Noticeably stepping up as a playmaker often as the first receiver, Nankivell routinely looked most likely to challenge the Bulls’ line. His 50 meter break in the 30th set-up a superb Munster strike which he duly finished off eight phases later.

14. Andrew Smith – 4
Industrious as ever, the winger popped up all over the park to mixed effect. Some carries were solid but there were several uncharacteristic handling errors notably a knock-on in the 27th minute when Munster were in the ascendancy. Removed in 52nd minute for what might have been his last outing in red with his contract up.

15. Mike Haley – 3
Held up for an early maul turnover when he carried high into contact. In the air, he was not his usual solid self losing a number of contests that put pressure on his side. This mixed in with a few missed tackles led to one of his less productive days in red.

Substitutes
16. Diarmuid Barron – 5
Brought some solidity to the line-out and put himself about defensively in what was a lost cause.

17. Josh Wycherley – 4
Similar to Munster’s starters, the loosehead struggled at scrum time and couldn’t make much of an impact at the gainline.

18. Conor Bartley – 4
Faced a major step-up in competition this weekend at scrum time and struggled in a similar manner to Ala’alatoa. Whilst it was a tough outing for Bartley he still took a major step forward this season having come through the AIL ranks.

19. Fineen Wycherley – 5.5
Called upon far earlier than he would’ve expected, the lock fronted up around the park with a few nice carries and tackles.

20. Gavin Coombes – 5
Replaced the impressive Brian Gleeson and couldn’t quite match the youngster’s output. In his defence, the Munster pack were racing backwards, and he did look to be one of the more likely gainline making options for his side.

21. Ben O’Donovan – N/A
Not on for long enough to rate.

22. Dan Kelly
Slotted in alongside Alex Nankivell with Sean O’Brien shifting to the wing in the 52nd minute. Had a few nice carries and fronted up defensively but he was swimming against a fast flowing blue tide.
23. Alex Kendellen – 5
Replaced John Hodnett early in the second half when the win was already out of reach. Keeping in line with the flow of the match the bulk of his work was done in defence.