Jack Crowley shines as Munster crush Leinster at Croke Park
By PA Sport Staff
Munster defeated rivals Leinster 31-14 at Croke Park as they went top of the URC table with their fourth straight win.
Leinster duo Tommy O’Brien and number eight Jack Conan were both withdrawn after failing late fitness tests, but things started well for the defending champions, with Ronan Kelleher going over following a lineout and maul routine.
Sam Prendergast converted to take an early advantage in the battle of Ireland’s top two fly-halves, but it was Munster, and player-of-the-match Jack Crowley, who were celebrating by the end.
Brian Gleeson scored after a smart tap-and-go, and Crowley’s precision kick left Tom Farrell with a one-touch finish as Munster flipped the scoreline in their favour.
Ethan Coughlan picked Jamison Gibson-Park’s pocket to charge the length of the pitch and bag a third try for his side, with Crowley making it a hat-trick of first-half conversions.
A long-range penalty ensured his impressive outing continued to drive Munster forward, and a penalty try against Ciaran Frawley sealed the bonus point. Scott Penny went over in the closing seconds for a consolation.
A special night in Dublin 🦌
A brave, determined performance from our lads sees us leave the capital with the win 💪
Thank you to our fans as always, you kept us going through every minute 🚩#SUAF 🔴 | #LEIvMUN pic.twitter.com/QNIQikYxC2
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 18, 2025
Earlier on Saturday, Ulster extended their 100 per cent record to three matches in the United Rugby Championship with a 34-26 bonus-point win over the Sharks in Durban.
Michael Lowry and Werner Kok were on the scoreboard in the opening 20 minutes, and despite Siya Kolisi’s response the visitors led 20-5 at half-time.
Makazole Mapimpi’s try early in the second half – after Ulster back row Sean Reffell departed with a shoulder injury having only come on at the interval – threatened a comeback from a team featuring five Springboks.
But the home side lost their discipline with Vincent Koch and Mapimpi being yellow-carded, with the latter upgraded to a 20-minute red card after review.
Ulster crossed for the third time through Tom Stewart to open up more daylight and Callum Reid, after a Sharks penalty try, took the game away from their hosts, for whom Andre Esterhuizen had the final say.
Ulster’s Nathan Doak converted all four tries and kicked two penalties to end the contest with 14 points.
