Munster 31 Leinster 14
Clayton McMillan’s men claimed a statement bonus-point victory over Leinster to keep their unbeaten start alive and rise to the top of the URC table. The win marked only the second for Munster in their last 10 meetings, and their first league win over their rivals since 2018.
Andy Farrell will be glad he named his Ireland squad early, sidestepping the inevitable debate that follows a result like this. Only two of Munster’s matchday 23 made the national panel, compared to Leinster’s 15.
Much of the pre-match debate focused on the Jack Crowley v Sam Prendergast matchup, a spectacle fans were denied last year. Crowley put his best foot forward, earning Man of the Match in the process. Tadhg Beirne was in the discussion for the award, producing another talismanic performance on his return, but probably dismissed only for a lack of space on the mantlepiece after his successful Lions campaign.
A word too for Gavin Coombes and Alex Nankivell, both a part of McMillian’s loaded bench, were forced on early due to injuries, but both had excellent games and timely turnovers, with Coombes adding 20 tackles in only 50 minutes.
Yet the player who defined this performance was 37-year-old John Ryan who played 74 minutes, making 18 tackles. He did everything that was asked of him, even filling in at blindside flanker after Tadhg Beirne was called ashore for a HIA.
Clearly Munster had something to prove, with McMillan encouraging his side to make it a ‘dogfight’. Despite this no one could have predicted a famous result from the opening minutes. Leinster made metres at will, eating up the distance to Munster’s goal line.
Jordan Larmour, a late replacement for Tommy O’Brien, gave Munster fans flashbacks to 2018 with a lovely line break, ending seven metres from the try line. Edwin Edogbo makes the turnover, and Munster escapes the early onslaught.
Leinster struck soon after through Ronan Kelleher, with Prendergast converting to make it 7–0 after seven minutes. They wouldn’t score again for 73 minutes.
Munster soon settled. Crowley linked up well with Thaakir Abrahams through the air, despite some early blockdowns, to keep the Leinster defence guessing. Munster worked into the opposition 22 and after sustained pressure Beirne crossed the line only to be held up. The only hint of a mistake in what was a vintage performance. Brian Gleeson scored soon after, with Jack O’Donoghue clearing the way, giving Gleeson a window to reach for the line. The extras from Crowley brought the game level.
Munster were playing all the rugby at this stage. From a clean lineout Crowley delayed the decision as long as he could, drawing in Leinster defenders before dropping the ball on his boot for Tom Farrell to chase. Farrell tipped the ball over Jimmy O’Brien before re-gathering and running it in under the posts. 14–7 after 24 minutes, and the travelling support began to believe.
23 nóim #LEIVMUN@leinsterrugby – 7@Munsterrugby – 14
Úd den scoth faighte ag Tom Farrell ag teacht uaidh cic ó Jack Crowley
Brilliant try from Tom Farrell coming from a Jack Crowley kick@URCOfficial @IrishRugby #URC pic.twitter.com/ot6UFh6MEp
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 18, 2025
Video: TG4
The passage that followed defined the rest of the game. Unrelenting physicality in defence from Munster, with players taking turns to make try saving interventions. This time it was Ethan Coughlan, in one of the biggest games of his career, picking off Jamison Gibson-Park only metres from the Munster line and running the pitch to score. The fourteen-point swing put Munster up 21-7.
Next up was Michael Milne. Playing against his old team, he held back Kelleher with one hand to keep him in the maul, allowing Munster to recover from an almost certain try and enter the break with the momentum and a 14-point lead.
The stats tell the story; Munster made 271 tackles, more than double Leinster’s total, while missing only six more and winning 15 turnovers to Leinster five.
Beirne made three key steals inside his own 22, while Coombes added a crucial maul turnover and solo try saving tackle to ensure the defensive wall held firm. With five minutes remaining, a loose chip from Fintan Gunne handed Munster their first attacking platform of the half. Farrell came within inches of the line before Jamie Osborne’s last-ditch effort was deemed illegal. The resulting penalty try secured the bonus point and effectively sealed the win.
One last ditch effort saw Leinster secure a consolation try with the clock in the red, despite Coombes’ best efforts which earned him a yellow card. As the camera followed him off the field, he smiled and raised his fist to the travelling support as they cheered him off, knowing the job was done.
The result brings Munster to the top of the table, level with the Stormers after four rounds. They’ll look to continue their unbeaten streak in Thomond as they welcome Connacht next week.