2015–16 Munster Rugby season

The 2015–16 Munster Rugby season was Munster's fifteenth season competing in the Pro12 alongside which they also competed in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was Anthony Foley's second season as head coach.

2015–16 Munster Rugby season

Ground(s)	Thomond Park Musgrave Park (Capacity: 26,500 8,500)
Coach(es)	Anthony Foley
Captain(s)	Peter O'Mahony
League(s)	Pro 12
2015–16	6th
1st kit 2nd kit
← 2014–15 2016–17 →

Events

Munster opened their pre-season with a 29–38 defeat to Grenoble in a friendly at Thomond Park on 14 August.[1] A week later on 21 August, Munster suffered a 28–12 defeat to Connacht in their second pre-season friendly at Thomond Park.[2] On 28 August, Munster defeated London Irish 21–15 at Irish Independent Park in their final warm-up match for the new season.[3]

The new Pro12 season was launched in London on 24 August. Munster began the new season with an 18–13 win against Benetton Treviso in Cork on 5 September.[4][5] Munster were captained by CJ Stander in the opening match, where he also scored two second-half tries and earned the Man-of-the-Match award.[6]

In January, Andy Farrell joined the province in an advisory role on a part-time basis over four months before taking up his four-year contract with Ireland in the summer[7]

On 25 March, Simon Zebo scored two tries against Zebre to bring his total to 43 tries in 97 provincial appearances.[8] In doing so, he overtook Anthony Horgan's try-scoring record of 41 for Munster.[9][10]

On 24 April, it was announced that Johan Erasmus will join Munster as the newly created Director of Rugby role in a three-year deal beginning on July 1.[11][12]

On 7 May, Munster secured their place in 2016-17 Champions Cup after a 31–15 victory over the Scarlets at Thomond Park earned them a sixth-place finish in the Pro12.[13][14][15][16][17][18]

On 2 June, Munster Rugby announced a forecasted deficit of €1.9 million for the year ending 30 June 2016 at their Annual General Meeting in Limerick.[19]

Coaching and management staff 2015–16

Position	Name	Nationality
Head Coach	Anthony Foley	Ireland
Team Manager	Niall O'Donovan	Ireland
Scrum Coach	Jerry Flannery	Ireland
Backs Coach	Brian Walsh	Ireland
Assistant Coach	Ian Costello	Ireland
Technical Advisor	Mick O'Driscoll	Ireland
Head of Fitness	Aled Walters	Wales
Strength & Conditioning Coach	Aidan O'Connell	Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach	Adam Sheehan	Ireland
Performance Analyst	George Murray	Ireland
Operations Manager	Bryan Murphy	Ireland

Senior Playing Squad 2015–16

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union Duncan Casey Hooker Ireland Kevin O'Byrne Hooker Ireland Niall Scannell Hooker Ireland Mike Sherry Hooker Ireland Stephen Archer Prop Ireland BJ Botha Prop South Africa James Cronin Prop Ireland Dave Kilcoyne Prop Ireland Peter McCabe Prop Ireland John Ryan Prop Ireland Mario Sagario Prop Uruguay Mark Chisholm Lock Australia Dave Foley Lock Ireland Billy Holland Lock Ireland Donncha O'Callaghan Lock Ireland Donnacha Ryan Lock Ireland Shane Buckley Flanker Ireland Jordan Coghlan Flanker Ireland Sean Doyle Flanker Australia Dave O'Callaghan Flanker Ireland Tommy O'Donnell Flanker Ireland Peter O'Mahony (c) Flanker Ireland Robin Copeland Number 8 Ireland Jack O'Donoghue Number 8 Ireland CJ Stander Number 8 South Africa

Player Position Union Conor Murray Scrum-half Ireland Tomás O'Leary Scrum-half Ireland Cathal Sheridan Scrum-half Ireland Duncan Williams Scrum-half Ireland Jonathan Holland Fly-half Ireland Ian Keatley Fly-half Ireland Cian Bohane Centre Ireland Tyler Bleyendaal Centre New Zealand Matt D'Arcy Centre Ireland Keith Earls Centre Ireland Denis Hurley Centre Ireland Francis Saili Centre New Zealand Lucas González Amorosino Wing Argentina Andrew Conway Wing Ireland Shane Monahan Wing Ireland Ronan O'Mahony Wing Ireland Darren Sweetnam Wing Ireland Gerhard van den Heever Wing South Africa Simon Zebo Wing Ireland Felix Jones Fullback Ireland

• Internationally capped players in bold.
• Players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. *
• Irish provinces are currently limited to 4 non-Irish eligible (NIE) players and 1 non-Irish qualified player (NIQ or "Project Player").

2015–16 Pro12

The new Pro12 season began on 5 September.

5 September 2015 19:45

Munster	18–13	Benetton Treviso (1 BP)
Try: Stander (2) 46' m, 53' c Con: Keatley (1/2) Pen: Keatley (2/3) 6', 25'	Report	Try: Budd 10' c Con: Hayward (1/1) Pen: Hayward (2/3) 71', 80'

Irish Independent Park Attendance: 5,425 Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)

13 September 2015 14:30

(1 BP) Ospreys	18–20	Munster
Pen: Davies (6/6) 9', 35', 40', 46', 62', 70'	Report	Try: Fitzgerald 52' c Stander 79' c Con: Bleyendaal (1/1) Keatley (1/1) Pen: Bleyendaal (2/2) 12', 31'

Liberty Stadium Attendance: 8,107 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)

2 October 2015 18:00

Munster	23–21	Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: O'Callaghan 28' c Botha 66' c Con: Keatley (2/2) Pen: Keatley (3/4) 19', 40', 77'	Report	Pen: Clegg (6/7) 12', 32', 38', 51', 55', 60' Drop: Clegg (1/1) 74'

Thomond Park Attendance: 11,713 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

23 October 2015 19:05

Scarlets	25–22	Munster (1 BP)
Try: Van der Merwe 41' m T. Williams 53' m Pen: S. Shingler (5/6) 27', 40', 60', 77', 80'	Report	Try: Conway 25' c Con: Keatley (1/1) Pen: Keatley (4/6) 5', 29', 48', 72' Drop: Keatley (1/2) 58'

Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,466 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)

30 October 2015 18:00

(1 BP) Munster	32–28	Ulster (2 BP)
Try: Conway 16' c Copeland 29' c Van den Heever 33' m Hurley 60' m Zebo 65' m Con: Keatley (2/5) Pen: Keatley (1/1) 49'	Report	Try: Gilroy (2) 2' m, 26' m Williams 38' m Tuohy 67' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/4) Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 20' Drop: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 45'

Thomond Park Attendance: 13,039 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

7 November 2015 17:15

(1 BP) Edinburgh	14–16	Munster
Try: Helu 46' m Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (3/3) 10', 39', 56'	Report	Try: J. Ryan 7' c Con: Keatley (1/1) Pen: Keatley (3/4) 29', 61', 67'

Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 4,981 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)

28 November 2015 17:15

(1 BP) Munster	12–18	Connacht
Try: Scannell 20' m penalty try 65' c Con: Keatley (1/2)	Report	Try: O'Halloran 17' c Aki 77' m Con: Ronaldson (1/2) Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 11', 58'

Thomond Park Attendance: 15,143 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

6 December 2015 14:30

Newport Gwent Dragons	22–6	Munster
Try: Landman 77' c Con: D. Jones (1/1) Pen: D. Jones (3/4) 1', 30', 64' Tovey (1/1) 80' Drop: D. Jones (1/3) 43'	Report	Pen: R. Scannell (2/2) 13', 38'

Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,571 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)

27 December 2015 17:15

Munster	7–24	Leinster
Try: Copeland 37' c Con: R. Scannell (1/1)	Report	Try: Nacewa 3' c J. McGrath 54' c Kirchner 80' c Con: Madigan (3/3) Pen: Madigan (1/1) 14'

Thomond Park Attendance: 25,600 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)

2 January 2016 15:00

(1 BP) Ulster	7–9	Munster
Try: Ludik 23' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1)	Report	Pen: Keatley (2/2) 8', 60' Drop: Keatley (1/1) 57'

Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 17,211 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)

30 January 2016 15:00

(1 BP) Zebre	12–16	Munster
Pen: Haimona (4/5) 12', 15', 19', 29'	Report	Try: Chisholm 5' c Con: Keatley (1/1) Pen: Keatley (2/4) 21', 36' Drop: Keatley (1/1) 71'

Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 2,400 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)

14 February 2016 17:00

(1 BP) Munster	17–21	Ospreys
Try: Williams 11' c Saili 26' m Copeland 50' m Con: Keatley (1/3)	Report	Try: S. Davies 24' c Watkin 59' m Con: S. Davies (1/2) Pen: S. Davies (3/4) 37', 55', 77'

Irish Independent Park Attendance: 7,791 Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

19 February 2016 19:35

(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors	27–24	Munster (1 BP)
Try: Puafisi (2) 4' c, 7' c Weir 43' m G. Bryce 70' m Con: Weir (2/4) Pen: Weir (1/3) 62'	Report	Try: Kilcoyne (2) 11' c, 23' c Sherry 63' c Con: Keatley (3/3) Pen: Keatley (1/1) 17'

Rugby Park[20] Attendance: 7,212 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

28 February 2016 15:00

(1 BP) Benetton Treviso	13–16	Munster
Try: Barbieri 25' c Con: Hayward (1/1) Pen: Hayward (2/2) 52', 64'	Report	Try: Van den Heever 11' m Saili 57' m Pen: Keatley (2/2) 68', 75'

Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

5 March 2016 19:35

(1 BP) Munster	26–5	Newport Gwent Dragons
Try: Kilcoyne (2) 18' m, 43' c R. Scannell 32' c Cronin 77' c Con: Keatley (2/3) J. Holland (1/1)	Report	Try: Amos 46' m

Thomond Park Attendance: 13,552 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

18 March 2016[21] 19:15

(1 BP) Cardiff Blues	37–28	Munster
Try: Cook 32' c Rees 49' c G. Smith 54' c Patchell 73' c Con: Patchell (4/4) Pen: Patchell (2/2) 10', 43' J. Evans (1/1) 80'	Report	Try: Sweetnam 6' m Sherry 52' c O'Donoghue 78' c Con: Keatley (1/2) J. Holland (1/1) Pen: Keatley (2/2) 3', 46' J. Holland (1/1) 67'

Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,017 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)

25 March 2016 19:00

(1 BP) Munster	47–0	Zebre
Try: penalty try (2) 11' c, 73' c R. O'Mahony 26' c Zebo (2) 47' c, 53' c Stander 55' m Murray 64' c Con: J. Holland (5/5) Murray (1/2)	Report

Thomond Park Attendance: 13,063 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)

2 April 2016 17:30

Leinster	16–13	Munster (1 BP)
Try: Sexton 36' c Con: Sexton (1/1) Pen: Sexton (3/3) 27', 50', 63'	Report	Try: J. Holland 47' c Con: J. Holland (1/1) Pen: J. Holland (2/2) 12', 31'

Aviva Stadium Attendance: 43,108 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

16 April 2016 19:15

(1 BP) Connacht	35–14	Munster
Try: Adeolokun (2) 36' c, 54' m penalty try 40' c Bealham 65' c Con: O'Leary (3/4) Pen: O'Leary (3/3) 8', 18', 80'	Report	Try: Zebo 10' c Sherry 23' c Con: J. Holland (2/2)

Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 7,786 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

29 April 2016 19:35

(1 BP) Munster	27–19	Edinburgh
Try: R. Scannell 6' c Zebo 27' m Conway 33' m Saili 76' c Con: J. Holland (2/4) Pen: J. Holland (1/1) 21'	Report	Try: Tovey 18' c Con: Tovey (1/1) Pen: Tovey (3/4) 14', 37', 43' Hidalgo-Clyne (1/1) 64'

Irish Independent Park Attendance: 8,200 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)

7 May 2016 15:00

(1 BP) Munster	31–15	Scarlets
Try: Saili 13' c R. Scannell (2) 25' m, 78' c R. O'Mahony 59' m Stander 68' m Con: J. Holland (2/5)	Report	Pen: S. Shingler (5/5) 9', 21', 28', 37', 64'

Thomond Park Attendance: 18,929 Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup

The draw for the 2015-16 European Rugby Champions Cup was held on 17 June. Munster will face Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers and Benetton Treviso.[22] Munster opened their campaign on 14 November against Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park and won the game on a 32-7 scoreline with a bonus point secured after a late try by Simon Zebo in a match played in wet and windy conditions.[23][24][25] On 17 November, Stade Français postponed their Champions Cup clash with Munster on the 22 November in the wake of the Paris attacks.[26][27] On 12 December, Munster lost to Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park by 31–19.[28][29][30][31][32] On 9 January, Munster were eliminated from the European Rugby Champions Cup after a 27–7 defeat to Stade Français in Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris.[33] Stade Francais played 40 minutes of the game with 14 men after Josaia Raisuqe's received a red card but outscored their Munster 17-7 during that period.[34][35][36][37] A week later on 16 January, Munster defeated Stade Français at Thomond Park 26-13 to avoid a fourth straight defeat in the competition.[38][39][40][41] Munster finished their European Champions Cup campaign with a bonus-point triumph away to Treviso on 24 January.[42][43][44][45]

Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	Diff	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
Leicester Tigers (2)	6	5	0	1	185	91	+94	24	11	3	0	23
Stade Français (7)	6	4	0	2	186	118	+68	25	17	3	0	19
Munster	6	3	0	3	118	100	+18	15	11	3	0	15
Benetton Treviso	6	0	0	6	53	233	–180	8	33	0	0	0

14 November 2015 17:15

(1 BP) Munster	32–7	Benetton Treviso
Try: Botha 4' c Stander 55' m Casey 68' c Zebo 75' c Con: Keatley (3/4) 5', 69', 77' Pen: Keatley (2/2) 19', 48'	Report	Try: Steyn 16' c Con: Hayward (1/1) 16'

Thomond Park Attendance: 17,763 Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)

12 December 2015 19:45

Munster	19–31	Leicester Tigers
Try: Cronin 41' m Sherry 66' m Con: Keatley (0/2) Pen: Keatley (3/4) 13', 18', 45'	Report	Try: Goneva 33' m Fitzgerald 37' c B. Youngs 53' c Con: O. Williams (2/3) 39', 54' Pen: O. Williams (2/2) 1', 28' Bell (2/2) 69', 75'

Thomond Park Attendance: 22,261 Referee: Romain Poite (FFR)

20 December 2015 17:15

Leicester Tigers	17–6	Munster
Try: Slater 23' c Goneva 65' c Con: Burns (2/2) 24', 66' Pen: Burns (1/2) 35'	Report	Pen: Keatley (2/4) 6', 40'

Welford Road Attendance: 21,645 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)

9 January 2016 17:45

Stade Français	27–7	Munster
Try: Williams 32' c Macalou 66' c Bonneval 70' c Con: Steyn (3/3) 33', 67', 72' Pen: Steyn (2/3) 36', 54'	Report	Try: Murray 74' c Con: R. Scannell (1/1) 75'

Stade Jean-Bouin Attendance: 13,820 Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

16 January 2016 13:00

(1 BP) Munster	26–13	Stade Français
Try: Sherry 18' m Earls 39' c Zebo 41' c Stander 67' c Con: Keatley (3/4) 40', 42', 68'	Report	Try: Ross 62' c Con: Steyn (1/1) 63' Pen: Steyn (2/3) 1', 36'

Thomond Park Attendance: 18,884 Referee: JP Doyle (RFU)

24 January 2016 14:00

Benetton Treviso	5–28	Munster (1 BP)
Try: Lazzaroni 36' m	Report	Try: R. O'Mahony (2) 4' c, 65' c Kilcoyne 16' c Murray 49' c Con: Keatley (4/4) 4', 16', 49', 66'

Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 3,200 Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (FFR)

References

1. "Try-Fest In Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
2. "Under Par Munster As Connacht Take Spoils At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 21 August 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
3. "Munster Return To Winning Ways In Cork". Munster Rugby. 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
4. "Squad Update". Munster Rugby. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
5. "Munster need Stander double to edge past Italians in season opener". Irish Independent. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
6. "Shaky Start For Munster". munsterrugby.ie. 6 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
7. "Munster confirm 'advisory role' for Andy Farrell with immediate effect". Irish Examiner. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
8. "Record breaker Simon Zebo the toast of Thomond as Munster comprehensively beat Zebre". Irish Independent. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
9. "Record Win Recorded In Thomond". munsterrugby.ie. 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
10. "Munster crush Zebre to keep play-off hopes alive". Irish Examiner. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
11. "Johan Erasmus appointed as Munster Director of Rugby". Irish Independent. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
12. "'I'd like to be coaching here in 20 years' time' - Foley". The 42. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
13. "Munster claim last Champions Cup spot with victory over Scarlets". RTE Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
14. "Munster 31-15 Scarlets". BBC Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
15. "Munster deliver when it matters most". Irish Examiner. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
16. "Munster and Foley finally see some light". Irish Independent. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
17. "Season over early, but Stander excited by prospect of fresh start for Munster". The 42. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
18. "Five-try win in Thomond sees Munster secure Champions Cup rugby". The 42. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
19. "Munster Rugby announce forecasted deficit of €1.9 million". The 42. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
20. "Munster game moved to Rugby Park and switched to Friday night". Glasgow Warriors. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
21. "New date for Munster game confirmed". Cardiff Blues. Cardiff Rugby Football Club Ltd. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
22. "Munster Drawn In Pool 4". Munster Rugby. 17 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
23. "European Champions Cup: Munster 32-7 Benetton Treviso". BBC Sport. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
24. "Munster 32-7 Benetton Treviso: as it happened". The 42. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
25. "Munster get the job done with winning start against Benetton Treviso". Irish Examiner. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
26. "Stade Francais postpone Champions Cup game against Munster". Irish Independent. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
27. "European Rugby Champions Cup: Stade Francais-Munster game off". BBC Sport. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
28. "European Champions Cup: Munster 19-31 Leicester". BBC Sport. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
29. "Munster 19-31 Leicester: as it happened". The 42. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
30. "Munster fail to trouble Tigers". Irish Independent. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
31. "George Hook: Munster boo-boys were aiming ire at Anthony Foley for allowing Ian Keatley to disintegrate". Irish Independent. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
32. "Conor Murray insists he has faith in Anthony Foley's plan of attack". Irish Independent. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
33. "Munster exit with a whimper as Stade expose gulf in class". Irish Independent. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
34. "Embarrassing, humiliating disgraceful' – Alan Quinlan calls for Munster reform following European exit". Irish Independent. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
35. "Glory days a memory as Munster in meltdown". Irish Examiner. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
36. "Stade Francais v Munster: as it happenened". The 42. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
37. "European Champions Cup: Stade Francais 27-7 Munster". BBC Sport. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
38. "European Champions Cup: Munster 26-13 Stade Francais". BBC Sport. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
39. "Anthony Foley content as Munster's magic returns". Irish Examiner. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
40. "Stander's quality helps Munster to restore some pride". Irish Independent. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
41. "'Munster had the hunger, passion and desire they were lacking last week' - Alan Quinlan". Irish Independent. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
42. "European Champions Cup: Benetton Treviso 5-28 Munster". BBC Sport. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
43. "As it happened: Benetton Treviso 5-28 Munster". The 42. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
44. "Munster rue what might have been…". Irish Examiner. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
45. "O'Mahony double helps Munster see off Treviso". Limerick Leader. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.

External links

• 2015–16 Munster Rugby season at official site
• 2015–16 Munster Rugby season at Pro12