Munster 41 Ulster 14
Munster ran out convincing winners over Ulster in Thomond Park to move a vital four points clear in the race for the top eight. The game opened up in the second half, with five second-half tries for the home side. It was a respectable result given that half-time saw Clayton McMillan’s men hold a 12-7 lead.
The Interpro, which held massive importance for final seeding in the URC, somewhat lost its lustre after Ulster’s team announcement. With three debutants and an extremely young squad making the trip to Limerick, it was clear the northern side had its sights set on next week’s Challenge Cup semi-final. Fans were subjected to yet another blow when Jack Crowley was forced to pull out pregame.
While happy with the final result, which secured a bonus point and denied Ulster any, Munster will be disappointed with the heavy toll. Both Jean Kleyn and Calvin Nash, on his 100th cap, left the pitch in the first half due to injury and look doubtful to return for the business end of the season.
Meanwhile, Tom Farrell injured his shoulder and Oli Jager suffered what looks to be yet another concussion. McMillan admitted it is ‘pretty concerning’ given the prop’s recent injury history.
On the bright side some players stepped up brilliantly to the occasion; John Hodnett touched down four times in a Player of the Match performance while Alex Kendellen bagged himself a hattrick off the bench. What makes this even more impressive is Hodnett played most of the second half on the wing due to the injuries and 6-2 split.
It’s that man again for @Munsterrugby 🔴
John Hodnett with his second try of the evening and the home side are in the lead ⚡ pic.twitter.com/LECXULMard
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) April 25, 2026
Munster moved to 5th in the table following the win, trailing Leinster by two points and putting them well in the hunt for a home quarter final. The injuries will be assessed throughout the week but with no European fixture this weekend Munster will hope to get their difference-makers fit for the final rounds.
If they’re to make a fairytale run akin to 2023, Munster will need to start quicker in their following games. The home side fell behind early to a score by debutant Aitzol Arenzana-King. Shocked into action, Munster responded with a quick Hodnett brace before half time.
The game’s second stanza was more to McMillan’s liking. Just on the pitch, Kendellen crossed for a try in the 46th minute, before scorning his second six minutes later. Hodnett squeezed in another brace, sandwiching Ulster’s only score of the second half, before Kendellen cemented his super sub appearance with his third try of the night.
The result brings Munster another step closer to securing Champions Cup rugby for next season by finishing top eight in the URC. This has never seemed more necessary following the recent news of voluntary redundancies being sought in the club.
European rugby is the money-maker in the club game and would be a devastating loss to the proud club, for both monetary and morale reasons. This recent win has lifted Munster somewhat out of the congested mid-tier of the URC table and given hope for a late season top four push. The result of which would be a home quarterfinal, and in turn, a monetary boost heading into next season.
Before that however, Munster will need to face into the daunting two-game slate of Connacht (away), and Lions (at home) to close out the season. With everything to play for it might well prove to be the biggest test yet for McMillan and his men.