Munster player ratings vs Leinster | 2026/27 URC

Munster player ratings: For half an hour, Munster looked ready to take another famous scalp in this fixture. They defended with enormous resolve, punished Leinster’s indiscipline and repeatedly found ways to frustrate a side that had almost all of the territory and possession.

Gavin Coombes was immense, Charlie O’Shea played like a veteran and Craig Casey buzzed around everything. But once Leinster’s relentless pressure finally told and the replacements arrived, Munster ran out of answers in a 24-18 defeat that was much tighter than the final scoreline suggests.

15. Ben O’Connor – 6.5
A difficult evening. Leinster consistently found change in his neck of the woods and repeatedly pressured him under the high ball and from kicking exchanges. Coughed up territory and possession at several key moments. Took his late try well but it couldn’t polish over a scrappy performance.

14. Shay McCarthy – 5
A quiet outing. Opportunities were scarce and he never really imposed himself on proceedings. Missed too many tackles and looked a tad green when covering in the backfield.

13. Seán O’Brien – 8
Before a HIA ended his game late in the first half, he had been excellent. Linked impressively with his outside backs and produced the break of the match for Munster’s try, somehow surviving a huge hit long enough to release Casey, who then sent Shane Daly away. A classy display on his 50th Munster appearance.

12. Alex Nankivell – 7
Repeatedly tried to punch holes through the Leinster midfield and was generally part of a centre partnership that outperformed their opposite numbers during much of the first half. A smart Gibson-Park play earned a penalty against him for loitering offside and his yellow card leaves a mark against an otherwise decent performance.

11. Shane Daly – 7.5
Good in flashes. Produced a lovely touchline intervention by bundling Tommy O’Brien into touch and scored a well-worked first-half try. Unfortunately also missed tackles and saw his evening end painfully on the medical cart.

10. Charlie O’Shea – 7
Like a duck to water in Irish rugby’s fiercest rivalry. Took the fight to Leinster with ball in hand, kicked his goals, managed territory well and never looked overawed by the occasion. An impressive outing from the rookie, even if he faded into the background a tad in the second forty.

9. Craig Casey – 8
His service in greasy conditions was remarkably crisp. Directed traffic smartly, supported O’Brien brilliantly for Daly’s try and was a livewire throughout. One of Munster’s best before departing after 64 minutes.

1. Josh Wycherley – 7.5
Won a superb jackal penalty under pressure in his own 22 and stood up well physically throughout. Another strong shift from the loosehead.

2. Marnus van der Merwe – 6
Solid without being outstanding. His lineout functioned well enough thanks in large part to Coombes’ work as a target, but Munster would probably like to see a little more influence from the Springbok hooker.

3. Kieran Brookes – 7
The summer arrival from Toulon continues to look a shrewd addition. Earned the penalty from Ryan’s high tackle and scrummaged effectively. His off-the-ball shoulder on Kelleher was a coach-killer, though, and shifted momentum Leinster’s way. Decent overall before making way.

4. Fineen Wycherley – 7.5
Impressive again. Brought plenty of physicality and work rate, contributing strongly to a Munster pack that gave Leinster problems for long stretches.

5. Tadhg Beirne – 7
Workmanlike yet quietly efficient. Did not dominate headlines but repeatedly popped up where Munster needed him most. A nuisance at the breakdown all evening and produced a crucial turnover on Carbery after a threatening break.

6. Jack O’Donoghue – 5.5
Defensively sound but never really stamped himself on the contest. Big games need big players producing game-changing moments and he largely drifted through proceedings.

7. Alex Kendellen – 7
Brainrot levels of tackling output. Seemed to fold anything in blue that moved and comfortably cleared the 20-tackle mark. Lost possession in contact once after breaking through Van der Flier’s tackle but otherwise hugely industrious.

8. Gavin Coombes – 8.5
Outstanding. Won multiple choke-tackle penalties, repeatedly relieved pressure and was excellent as a lineout option. His continued absence from Ireland squads looks increasingly wild. Munster’s best player by a distance.

Replacements – 5
Unlike Leinster’s bench, Munster’s replacements failed to alter the trajectory of the contest. Gordon Wood deserves credit after making a crucial defensive intervention shortly after arriving, but overall the impact wasn’t there. Seán Edogbo, so influential against Racing 92 a week ago, struggled to leave his mark as Leinster squeezed the life out of the game.