Munster A brought Ulster A’s unbeaten run to a halt with a 29 – 22 win at Donnybrook early Saturday afternoon. Not much information out there on this one and what we have we’ve gotten from Munster Rugby.

In my preview I’d predicted a comfortable win for the Belfast boys, always dangerous to do when the opponents are Munster, but thankfully I’d put in the proviso;

“At the end of the day, the game is a squad hit out to give players some game time under the current restrictions, and that’s about it’s level of importance …“

though I’d guess there are more than a few at Ulster not happy with the performance. Players at other provinces have commented on Ulster teams “soft underbelly” and it looks like there is a bit of work to do yet before that one is disproved.

Munster are reduced to 13 players in the early exchanges with Sean French and Liam Coombes yellow carded for deliberate knock ons. It takes a while for Ulster to make the advantage count but they take the lead on the 11th minute through a Conor Rankin try, converted by Bill Johnston.

Munster start to get on top once they are restored to 15 players and a close range try from Cian Hurley is followed by a long range effort from Jake Flannery. Jack Crowley converts both and Munster lead 14 – 7 on the half hour mark.

Johnston adds a late penalty to Ulster’s total and the teams turn round with Munster leading 14 – 10.

Munster empty their bench with Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Paddy Patterson and Jonathan Wren all coming on at the start of the second half and they dominate the third quarter with tries from Crowley and Wycherly. Flannery converts the latter and the “home” side take a 26 – 10 lead into the final quarter.

With no replacements left, Munster go down the 13 men, due to injury, in the final quarter and Ulster cross for two late tries with Aaron Sexton crossing in the 78th minute and Rankin, for his second, a minute later. Nathan Doak converts the latter to take the score to 26 – 22 in Munster’s favour.

There is no dramatic comeback from Ulster as Munster close out the game in extra time with a Flannery penalty to take the final score to 29 – 22.

MUNSTER A: Jake Flannery, Seán French, Liam Coombes, Alex McHenry, Conor Phillips, Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan, Jeremy Loughman, Rhys Marshall, Keynan Knox, Cian Hurley, Paddy Kelly; Jack Daly, Scott Buckley, Alex Kendellen. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Paddy Patterson, Jonathan Wren.

ULSTER A: Ethan McIlroy, Aaron Sexton, Ben Moxham, Stewart Moore, Conor Rankin, Bill Johnston, David Shanahan, Callum Reid, Brad Roberts, Gareth Milasinovich, Matty Rea, Conor McMenamin, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, David McCann. Replacements: James McCormick, Kyle McCall, Oscar Egan, George Saunderson, Reuben Crothers, Nathan Doak, Hayden Hyde, Lewis Finlay, Conor McKee, James Humphreys, Ben Carson, Matthew Corr.

Disappointing result. There should be highlights available later. We’ll post them here when we get them.

Ulster A Results 2020 – 21

Fri, 25 Sept 20	Leinster A	14 – 29	Ulster A	W
Sat, 12 Dec 20	Ulster A	22 – 10	Munster A	W
Fri, 18 Dec 20	Connacht Eagles	19 – 19	Ulster A	D
Fri, 15 Jan 21	Ulster A	37 – 14	Leinster A	W
Sat, 27 Feb 21	Munster A	29 – 22	Ulster A	L