Ulster and Munster played to a 26-26 draw in their opening United Rugby Championship Irish derby of the season at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium.
Munster dominated the first half, with early tries from Alex Kendellen and Marnus van der Merwe setting the tone for an attacking display. The province continued their momentum through further tries from Dan Kelly and a second effort by Kendellen, reaching a 26-5 halftime advantage. Jacob Stockdale had marked his 150th appearance with a try for Ulster before the interval, but the hosts faced an uphill battle heading into the second half.
Ulster made significant personnel changes following the break, introducing Tom McAllister, James McNabney, Tom O’Toole, and Matthew Devine. O’Toole’s performance proved particularly impactful as Ulster manufactured a sustained comeback. Stockdale secured his second try, followed by efforts from David McCann and Stuart McCloskey to narrow the deficit. The final minutes saw Ulster’s determination rewarded when McCloskey touched down three minutes from time, with Jack Murphy converting to secure the draw.
The result marks a second consecutive draw for Ulster, who previously drew 33-33 with Glasgow. However, the team remains winless on the campaign following an earlier loss to Edinburgh. Head coach Richie Murphy oversaw the tactical adjustments that sparked the second-half resurgence. For Munster, the inability to convert their commanding position into a victory represented a missed opportunity, though Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was present to observe the performance.
Ulster next faces Zebre in the Challenge Cup on October 17, while Munster hosts Racing in the Champions Cup later the same day.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI