Munster player ratings vs Castres | 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup

Munster player ratings: A 31–29 defeat to Castres at Thomond Park means a European exit for Munster before the Round of 16, nevermind the quarter-finals, and that alone guarantees some uncomfortable conversations in Limerick as the post-mortem begins for Clayton McMillan and his group.

There was enough attacking threat to win this game twice over. There was also enough loose decision-making to lose it once. Munster managed the latter.

Here’s how we rated the Munster players:

1. Jeremy Loughman – 5.5
The effort was there but the overall impact wasn’t strong enough to justify anything higher on a night where margins mattered and Munster needed more punch up front.

2. Niall Scannell – 6
Did the basics without fuss and linked well for Casey’s first try. Solid rather than standout, and Munster needed more edge from their hooker on a night like this.

3. Michael Ala’alatoa – 4
Pretty mediocre stuff. Struggled to assert himself physically against 20-year-old Atunaisa Sokobale at the set-piece and didn’t add much around the park. A quiet outing when Munster needed ballast.

4. Jean Kleyn – 6
Off the pace and didn’t look like a Test lock. The news of his impending departure will not have been softened by this performance, which lacked any real impact.

5. Fineen Wycherley – 6.5
The better of the two starting locks. Threw himself into contact with real commitment and worked tirelessly, though Munster still lacked control when it mattered.

6. Tadhg Beirne – 7
Once again at the heart of things for Munster. A turnover king who consistently disrupted Castres at the breakdown. Gave away the odd soft penalty, but without him Munster would have been in more trouble.

7. Jack O’Donoghue – 6.5
Decent with ball in hand and played his part in early attacking momentum, but errors blotted the copybook. Also part of a worrying trend of needless penalties conceded at bad times.

8. Gavin Coombes – 5
Strangely ineffective. The usual bully-boy energy and dominant carrying just weren’t there. Took some heavy shots and kept going, but this was below his usual standard. It feels like the ship has now well and truly sailed on Ireland involvement for the No.8.

9. Craig Casey – 8
Frenetic, sharp and a constant threat. Scored a brace of tries and injected pace whenever Munster had momentum. Lost control a few too many times which shaved his rating, but still Munster’s attacking heartbeat.

10. Jack Crowley – 6
Excellent with ball in hand, regularly breaking the line and stretching Castres. His defence wasn’t quite where it needed to be, though and missing three conversions proved costly on a night decided by two points. Andy Farrell has a real decision to make at ten.

11. Ben O’Connor – 6
Worked hard and offered some direct running, though errors crept in at key moments. A mixed night that summed up Munster’s wider issues.

12. Alex Nankivell – 6
Showed flashes of class and made a key second-half break, but couldn’t consistently impose himself before departing just after the hour.

13. Tom Farrell – 7.5
At times, one of the best players on the pitch. Sharp defensively and intelligent at the breakdown, winning a crucial penalty on 43 minutes. His brainrot yellow card late on blotted an otherwise strong performance.

14. Thaakir Abrahams – 8.5
Electric. Beating French defenders for fun and took his try superbly. Played a key role in Casey’s first score and was a constant source of momentum whenever Munster found space.

15. Shane Daly – 6
Bright moments with ball in hand and showed intent on the carry, but too little end product to move the needle. A couple of line breaks without real damage done summed up a night where promise outweighed impact.

Replacements

16. Lee Barron – 6
Solid after coming on but didn’t dramatically change the flow.

17. Michael Milne – 6
Got through his work without fuss.

18. Oli Jager – 6
Added some stability late on.

19. Edwin Edogbo – 8.5
A serious impact. Pounced for the bonus-point try and then scored again at the death. Powerful, alert and decisive. Hard to argue against Ireland involvement if he keeps this up.

20. Brian Gleeson – 5.5
Some energetic carries but discipline let him down.

21. Ethan Coughlan – NA
Unused.

22. JJ Hanrahan – 6
Brought a calm head but couldn’t wrestle control back.

23. Dan Kelly – 5
A brief cameo with little chance to shape the outcome.