Josh van der Flier scored Leinster’s only try in the sixth minute of the game
United Rugby Championship, Thomond Park
Munster 8 (0)
Tries: Kelly Pens: Crowley
Leinster 13 (7)
Tries: Van der Flier Cons: Byrne Pens: Byrne 2
Leinster secured a hard-fought 13-8 victory over Munster in a United Rugby Championship derby match at Thomond Park.
Josh van der Flier’s early try in the sixth minute, coupled with eight points from the boot of Harry Byrne, proved sufficient for the reigning champions to claim the win in a tightly contested affair.
A late try from Dan Kelly brought Munster within five points with ten minutes remaining, but Leinster’s resilient defense in the closing stages ensured they held on for the away victory.
Having suffered three defeats in their opening four games of the 2025-26 campaign, including a 31-14 loss to Munster at Croke Park in October, Leinster has now recorded six consecutive wins across all competitions.
They currently sit sixth in the URC table, while Munster’s losing bonus point elevates them above Cardiff to second place in the standings.
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The first half was largely defined by Leinster’s dominance in the scrum, with their only try of the half highlighting their set-piece superiority.
Munster struggled to contain the Leinster front row, particularly with Michael Ala’alatoa appearing to face challenges on the tight-head side, allowing Leinster to alleviate pressure through the scrum.
Despite territorial advantages, Munster struggled with accuracy at crucial moments.
Missed touch kicks from Jack Crowley and a knock-on by Mike Haley after a poor pass hampered their attacking efforts.
Leinster capitalized on their opportunities, taking a 7-0 lead into halftime thanks to Van der Flier’s early try.
After an initial scrum penalty, Leinster kicked to the corner, with Ronan Kelleher finding Caelan Doris from the ensuing line-out.
Van der Flier then broke through Craig Casey’s tackle to score after peeling off the back of the maul.
In the second half, Harry Byrne and Crowley exchanged penalties after the restart in a continued low-scoring and fragmented contest.
Byrne added another three points as the final quarter approached, but the game struggled to find a consistent flow as both sides turned to their benches.
Replacement centre Dan Kelly’s try in the 70th minute set up an absorbing finish, but Munster were ultimately unable to breach the Leinster defense for the decisive score, despite maintaining late possession.
The contest, while intense, lacked attacking quality, providing a fitting conclusion to a game defined by its disjointed nature.
Both teams now prepare for another interprovincial derby in the URC next week, with Munster traveling to face Ulster on Friday and Leinster hosting Connacht the following day.
Munster: Haley; Daly, Farrell, Nankivell, Abrahams; Crowley, Casey; Milne, Barron, Ala’alatoa; Edogbo, Ahern; Beirne, O’Donoghue, Coombes.
Replacements: Barron, Loughman, Ryan, Kleyn, Wycherley, Patterson, Kelly, Hodnett.
Leinster: Frawley; O’Brien, Ioane, Henshaw, Lowe; Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Deegan, van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: McKee, P McCarthy, Furlong, Mangan, Penny, Gunne, Tector, Osborne.
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU)