Munster 31-3 Gloucester
Munster got their European campaign back on track on Saturday evening, as they claimed a comprehensive five-try win over Gloucester in Cork.
SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoímh hosted a Champions Cup game for the first time, with Munster needing a big result to bounce back from last weekend’s heavy defeat in Bath.
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It was, in truth, a slow burner of a game to say the least, but Munster were ultimately deserving winners on a wintery night on the banks of the River Lee.
Dan Kelly scored Munster’s first try after a somewhat fortuitous break for Mike Haley down the right, settling the nerves for the home side.
Dan Kelly with the first try of the game! 💪@Munsterrugby take the lead in Cork! 🔴#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/yvzZu2kzVS
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) December 13, 2025
Haley himself would get on the scoresheet with Munster’s second try shortly after the break.
🗣️@SimonZebo “A fantastic score from @Munsterrugby” 🔴
Mike Haley gets over for Munster’s second try of the game 💪 pic.twitter.com/HHwl9lo4UJ
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) December 13, 2025
Despite multiple sin bins and a defensive-minded approach from Gloucester, it would take Munster some time to fully break down the visitors.
A late flurry of tries would eventually secure a potentially pivotal bonus point, with Ruadhan Quinn and Tom Farrell going over in quick succession.
Ruadhan Quinn extends the lead in Cork! 🔴
“In the end its route one that gets @Munsterrugby try 3″ 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/g8sKkqzZtN
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) December 13, 2025
Tom Farrell goes over and @Munsterrugby are in full control in Pairc Ui Chaoimh 💪
🗣️@SimonZebo “The full box of tricks is out for Alex Nankivell…that’s his second doozy of a pass” 💫🔴 pic.twitter.com/ocscnS5erX
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) December 13, 2025
Captain Tadhg Beirne would round out the scoring with one of the easiest tries he is ever likely to score, capitalising on a lackadaisical Gloucester lineout to burrow over from close range.
Despite a bonus point performance from Munster, it was not the most entertaining night of Champions Cup rugby we’ve seen.
It was welcome, then, that Premier Sports pundit Simon Zebo brought some much-needed energy to his post-match interviews with his former Munster teammates.
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Mike Haley and Simon Zebo trade digs in post-match interview
Simon Zebo was in flying form post-match, as he interviewed his former Munster teammates Mike Haley, Jack Crowley, and JJ Hanrahan.
His interview with Haley was the real highlight, as the pair traded jabs as Zebo slagged the Munster wing for a moment which saw him caught by a trailing Gloucester man as he barrelled towards the line.
“I did a Zebo and I got caught” 😆@SimonZebo chats with Mike Haley after a classy performance in Cork 🔴 pic.twitter.com/acXbQUOSVY
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) December 13, 2025
Zebo began with some praise for Haley’s impressive performance, before landing a cheeky dig at his ex-teammate – who instantly reciprocated.
Zebo: “Well done, the way you carried the ball, the way you took it to the line, under the high ball as well. It was one of your best games. The only thing…it looks like you got caught in some quicksand or something out below!”
Haley: “I need a number check, did a forward get me or a back?”
Zebo: “It was a forward!”
Haley: “No, it wasn’t! It wasn’t! You’re lying!”
Zebo: “It was actually the tighthead, I think, that got you.”
Haley: “I was running and I heard someone breathing, I thought, ‘You better not catch me!’ Tommy’s on my left, I’m thinking, ‘I’ve got to go.’ I did a Zebo on it and I got caught!”
Zebo: “And not pass!”
Haley would also praise the immense Munster support, saying it was important for the team to give the fans something to cheer about after a more difficult night last week.
“It was the first thing we spoke about, the incredible support we got over in Bath,” Haley admitted.
We didn’t rise to the occasion and fulfil that.
You know yourself, we’re probably one of the most special clubs in the world, to have the support that travels like that.
The focus here was…it’s a massive day out in Cork, and we couldn’t let the crowd down.
After last Saturday’s battering in Bath, it’s great to see a bit of positivity around the Munster camp.
Their win takes them to five points in their group, with two Round Two games still to play tomorrow. Castres face Edinburgh before Toulon host Bath, after which Munster will have a clearer idea of where they stand in Pool 2.
Munster now prepare for a URC assignment at Ospreys on Saturday night, before welcoming Leinster to Thomond Park on December 27th.
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