2015–16 Munster Rugby season explained

Teamname:2015–16 Munster Rugby season
Capacity:26,500
8,500
Position:6th
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Prevseason:2014–15
Nextseason:2016–17

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.

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 1 July.[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

PositionNameNationality
Head coachAnthony Foley Ireland
Team managerNiall O'Donovan Ireland
Scrum CoachJerry Flannery Ireland
Backs CoachBrian Walsh Ireland
Assistant coachIan Costello Ireland
Technical AdvisorMick O'Driscoll Ireland
Head of FitnessAled Walters
Strength & conditioning coachAidan O'Connell Ireland
Strength & conditioning coachAdam Sheehan Ireland
Performance analystGeorge Murray Ireland
Operations managerBryan Murphy Ireland

Senior Playing Squad 2015–16

2015–16 Pro12

The new Pro12 season began on 5 September.

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.[20] 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.[21] [22] [23] On 17 November, Stade Français postponed their Champions Cup clash with Munster on 22 November in the wake of the Paris attacks.[24] [25] On 12 December, Munster lost to Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park by 31–19.[26] [27] [28] [29] [30] 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.[31] 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.[32] [33] [34] [35] A week later on 16 January, Munster defeated Stade Français at Thomond Park 26–13 to avoid a fourth straight defeat in the competition.[36] [37] [38] [39] Munster finished their European Champions Cup campaign with a bonus-point triumph away to Treviso on 24 January.[40] [41] [42] [43]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Try-Fest In Thomond Park . 14 August 2015 . Munster Rugby . 25 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095806/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/20979.php . 4 March 2016 .
  2. Web site: Under Par Munster As Connacht Take Spoils At Thomond . 21 August 2015 . Munster Rugby . 25 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150825015536/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/21013.php . 25 August 2015 .
  3. Web site: Munster Return To Winning Ways In Cork . 28 August 2015 . Munster Rugby . 2 September 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100010/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/21057.php . 4 March 2016 .
  4. Web site: Squad Update. 24 August 2015. Munster Rugby. 25 August 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150828041048/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/21022.php#.VdxNJPlVhBc. 28 August 2015.
  5. Web site: Munster need Stander double to edge past Italians in season opener. 5 September 2015. Irish Independent. 10 September 2015.
  6. Web site: Shaky Start For Munster . 6 September 2015 . munsterrugby.ie . 6 September 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150915031252/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/21112.php . 15 September 2015 .
  7. Web site: Munster confirm 'advisory role' for Andy Farrell with immediate effect. 12 January 2016. Irish Examiner. 18 January 2016.
  8. Web site: Record breaker Simon Zebo the toast of Thomond as Munster comprehensively beat Zebre. 25 March 2016. Irish Independent. 31 March 2016.
  9. Web site: Record Win Recorded In Thomond . 25 March 2016 . munsterrugby.ie . 26 March 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160330225941/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/22347.php . 30 March 2016 .
  10. Web site: Munster crush Zebre to keep play-off hopes alive. 25 March 2016. Irish Examiner. 31 March 2016.
  11. Web site: Johan Erasmus appointed as Munster Director of Rugby. 25 April 2016. Irish Independent. 9 May 2016.
  12. Web site: 'I'd like to be coaching here in 20 years' time' - Foley. 9 May 2016. The 42. 9 May 2016.
  13. Web site: Munster claim last Champions Cup spot with victory over Scarlets. 7 May 2016. RTE Sport. 9 May 2016.
  14. Web site: Munster 31-15 Scarlets. 7 May 2016. BBC Sport. 9 May 2016.
  15. Web site: Munster deliver when it matters most. 7 May 2016. Irish Examiner. 9 May 2016.
  16. Web site: Munster and Foley finally see some light. 7 May 2016. Irish Independent. 9 May 2016.
  17. Web site: Season over early, but Stander excited by prospect of fresh start for Munster. 9 May 2016. The 42. 9 May 2016.
  18. Web site: Five-try win in Thomond sees Munster secure Champions Cup rugby. 9 May 2016. The 42. 9 May 2016.
  19. Web site: Munster Rugby announce forecasted deficit of €1.9 million. 3 June 2016. The 42. 3 June 2016.
  20. Web site: Munster Drawn In Pool 4 . 17 June 2015 . Munster Rugby . 6 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150825075550/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/20774.php . 25 August 2015 .
  21. Web site: European Champions Cup: Munster 32-7 Benetton Treviso. 14 November 2015. BBC Sport. 20 November 2015.
  22. Web site: Munster 32-7 Benetton Treviso: as it happened. 14 November 2015. The 42. 20 November 2015.
  23. Web site: Munster get the job done with winning start against Benetton Treviso. 14 November 2015. Irish Examiner. 20 November 2015.
  24. Web site: Stade Francais postpone Champions Cup game against Munster. 17 November 2015. Irish Independent. 20 November 2015.
  25. Web site: European Rugby Champions Cup: Stade Francais-Munster game off. 17 November 2015. BBC Sport. 20 November 2015.
  26. Web site: European Champions Cup: Munster 19-31 Leicester. 12 December 2015. BBC Sport. 18 December 2015.
  27. Web site: Munster 19-31 Leicester: as it happened. 12 December 2015. The 42. 18 December 2015.
  28. Web site: Munster fail to trouble Tigers. 13 December 2015. Irish Independent. 18 December 2015.
  29. Web site: George Hook: Munster boo-boys were aiming ire at Anthony Foley for allowing Ian Keatley to disintegrate. 18 December 2015. Irish Independent. 18 December 2015.
  30. Web site: Conor Murray insists he has faith in Anthony Foley's plan of attack. 18 December 2015. Irish Independent. 18 December 2015.
  31. Web site: Munster exit with a whimper as Stade expose gulf in class. 10 January 2016. Irish Independent. 11 January 2016.
  32. Web site: Embarrassing, humiliating disgraceful' – Alan Quinlan calls for Munster reform following European exit. 10 January 2016. Irish Independent. 11 January 2016.
  33. Web site: Glory days a memory as Munster in meltdown. 10 January 2016. Irish Examiner. 11 January 2016.
  34. Web site: Stade Francais v Munster: as it happenened. 9 January 2016. The 42. 11 January 2016.
  35. Web site: European Champions Cup: Stade Francais 27-7 Munster. 9 January 2016. BBC Sport. 11 January 2016.
  36. Web site: European Champions Cup: Munster 26-13 Stade Francais. 16 January 2016. BBC Sport. 18 January 2016.
  37. Web site: Anthony Foley content as Munster's magic returns. 16 January 2016. Irish Examiner. 18 January 2016.
  38. Web site: Stander's quality helps Munster to restore some pride. 17 January 2016. Irish Independent. 18 January 2016.
  39. Web site: 'Munster had the hunger, passion and desire they were lacking last week' - Alan Quinlan. 17 January 2016. Irish Independent. 18 January 2016.
  40. Web site: European Champions Cup: Benetton Treviso 5-28 Munster. 24 January 2016. BBC Sport. 1 February 2016.
  41. Web site: As it happened: Benetton Treviso 5-28 Munster. 24 January 2016. The 42. 1 February 2016.
  42. Web site: Munster rue what might have been…. 25 January 2016. Irish Examiner. 1 February 2016.
  43. Web site: O'Mahony double helps Munster see off Treviso. 25 January 2016. Limerick Leader. 1 February 2016.

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