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It was Ulster who coped with the conditions better, on a night when Munster were well below par.<\/p>\n
A tense game was poised 9-3 at half-time, before Ulster clicked into gear after the break.<\/p>\n
Tom Stewart would get the try scoring underway for the hosts eight minutes after half-time, with the hooker making a sustained period of pressure count by burrowing over from close range.<\/p>\n
We have the first try of the game and it’s for @UlsterRugby<\/a> \u26aa<\/p>\n Tom Stewart gets over the line to extend the home sides lead! \ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/AaSWb8mqXh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The second try of the night came from fly-half Jake Flannery, who went over in the corner after a brilliantly-timed offload from Werner Kok to extend Ulster’s advantage.<\/p>\n “What a pass from Werner Kok” \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f\ud83d\udcab<\/p>\n Jake Flannery finishes off a lovely move from @UlsterRugby<\/a> \ud83d\udc4f\u26aa pic.twitter.com\/Bee76Ljoid<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The night was rounded out by a try for 21-year-old Bryn Ward, who was named Player of the Match after a true breakthrough performance.<\/p>\n Victory all but secured! \u2705<\/p>\n Bryn Ward with @UlsterRugby<\/a>‘s third try of the night against Munster \u26aa pic.twitter.com\/p9Qxr5JZkw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n It was a humbling night for Munster, just six days after their loss on home soil to Leinster.<\/p>\n However, it was a hugely encouraging night for Ulster, one which saw many of their young stars shine – Ward in particular.<\/p>\n At the other end of the experience scale is Iain Henderson, who returned from injury to captain his side to victory in Belfast.<\/p>\n Speaking to Premier Sports at full-time, Henderson had a plea to the IRFU on behalf of his younger Ulster teammates.<\/p>\n READ HERE: The Best Rugby Player From Each Of The 32 Counties<\/a><\/p>\n READ HERE: 7 Uncapped Irish Rugby Players That Andy Farrell HAS TO Cap in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Iain Henderson makes Ireland plea after Ulster ravage Munster<\/p>\n At full-time of Ulster’s massive win over Munster on Friday night, Iain Henderson made a plea to the IRFU to give young players more opportunities in Ireland ‘A’ games.<\/p>\n It was a night when Ulster’s younger prospects shone brightest on the pitch, and many of those would hope to get their chance in future Ireland ‘A’ games.<\/p>\n The squad for November’s game against Spain was captained by Friday night try-scorer Tom Stewart, and featured eight other Ulster players.<\/p>\n Speaking to Premier Sports at full-time, the vastly-experienced Henderson called on the Irish coaching staff to put their faith in the new generation of players.<\/p>\n There’s a heap of these young lads who we’ve seen in the last year or 18 months in the background. It’s great to see them come and get these opportunities and grab them with both hands.<\/p>\n Look at the Ireland ‘A’ squad that went and played Spain – if that’s any reflection of what the future of Irish rugby is like, we had a huge number of players in there. I think that’s massively exciting.<\/p>\n One thing that has actually frustrated me over the last few seasons is that we’re not giving those young guys that we’re now seeing the opportunity to put their hand up.<\/p>\n Look, I really hope that the Irish coaching staff do have a look at these young lads and really see how they fit in to an exciting Ireland squad going forward too.<\/p>\n With many debates over who will feature for Ireland come the 2027 World Cup, the call from Iain Henderson is one that Irish fans will surely find easy to endorse.<\/p>\n For now, however, the focus for Ulster is on celebrating a massive win in front of their home crowd, something Henderson said the squad were delighted to provide.<\/p>\n Henderson also said that the growing strength of the wider squad was creating welcome competition for places, in a season where Ulster have grown from week to week.<\/p>\n “It’s class,” Henderson said of the competition for starting spots.<\/p>\n The back-row is so competitive. You’ve guys getting frustrated about not getting game time, quality players.<\/p>\n Dave McCann has been phenomenal for us, he was really upset not to be starting tonight. Then you look at who starts ahead of him, after he’s been playing so well.<\/p>\n That’s what you want, the drive in the squad. That’s what makes a really good squad that does really good for an entire season, not just for patches like we may have had in the past.<\/p>\n It’s really exciting.<\/p>\n It certainly is turning into a more exciting season for Ulster than many would have expected in September.<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: Simon Zebo Had Warning For Leo Cullen After Brutal Munster-Leinster Call-Out<\/a><\/p>\n
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