Person: Francis Saili

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

rugby

Dave O'Callaghan swaps Youghal strand for La Grand plage

HE may be talking over the phone, 1 500km removed from home, but it quickly becomes clear that Dave O’Callaghan has a spring in his step.

rugby

Regime change comes at right time for Munster star Conway

rugby

Duncan Casey: How much do we really love and appreciate our Irish culture?

rugby

Jaco Taute enjoying Chris Farrell link-up at Munster

Time for Munster to assess and move forward

rugby

Munster won’t be sidetracked by emotion

Evans misses own stag party in pursuit of glory

For Jonathan Evans, success at the RDS last week has come at a price.

Sat, 27 May, 2017

It’s all about how we handle the final pressure, reckons Rassie Erasmus

‘I guess it’s all about pressure. I know pressure and understand there are big moments in a game,’ says Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

Wed, 24 May, 2017

Red alert as Munster on mission to scratch a seven-year-itch

Across a season of 31 competitive games, Leinster registered 23 wins, a single draw and only seven defeats, writes Donal Lenihan. 

Wed, 24 May, 2017

O’Mahony: It’s got to be our best to beat Scarlets

Peter O’Mahony believes his Munster side will have to put in their best game of the season if they are to overcome Scarlets at Aviva Stadium this Saturday and he is to lift the Guinness Pro12 trophy.

Mon, 22 May, 2017

Zebo’s moment of magic a diamond in the rough for Munster

Munster 23 - Ospreys 3: Sometimes it takes a little magic to make a difference and when Munster needed it most, their backline delivered to keep alive hopes of a first trophy in six seasons.

Mon, 22 May, 2017

Rassie Erasmus: Donnacha 10 times more a Munster man than I will ever be

Munster boss Rassie Erasmus hailed departing Donnacha Ryan as “10 times more a Munster man than I'll ever be” after the Ireland lock helped his native province reach next week's Guinness Pro12 final today.

Sat, 20 May, 2017

Here's our 60-second report of how Munster fared against the Ospreys

The Aviva will be covered in red next weekend.

Sat, 20 May, 2017

Donnacha Ryan prepares for an emotional Thomond farewell

There will be differing emotions at Thomond Park this evening as Francis Saili and Donnacha Ryan make their final entrances there in the red of Munster.

Sat, 20 May, 2017

Bookie intervention heaps pressure on Munster

For all the talk of an away team never winning a Guinness PROI12 semi-final, the flip side is naturally that no home team has ever lost one and Munster will not want to be the ones to let that statistic slide this evening.

Sat, 20 May, 2017

LUNCHTIME BULLETIN: Simon Coveney’s leadership bid suffers major blows

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Sat, 20 May, 2017

Rassie Erasmus focused on signing new second row

Rassie Erasmus says his challenge to bring a “solid” second row to Munster for next season is 95% complete.

Wed, 10 May, 2017

Rassie Erasmus must decide between Jaco Taute and Francis Saili

Rassie Erasmus has admitted Munster cannot afford to retain both Jaco Taute and Francis Saili for next season and their respective futures with the province will be decided in the coming days.

Mon, 08 May, 2017

60-second report: Here's how Munster demolished Connacht

Rarely in recent memory has an interprovincial derby been as one-sided.

Sat, 06 May, 2017

Here's how the sides ended up after the final round of Pro 12 games

The final round of Pro 12 games brought plenty of drama today.

Sat, 06 May, 2017

Munster get back on track after Saracens heartbreak

Benetton Treviso 14 Munster 34: It’s a pity in many ways that Saturday’s visit of Connacht to Thomond Park means little to the Red Army even though a favourable outcome could still see Munster emerge as top seeds after the 22nd and final round of the Guinness PRO12 regular season.

Mon, 01 May, 2017

Ten changes as Munster focus on Benetton Treviso

Benetton Treviso v Munster: We know what Connacht have done to us, while Treviso have been overturning teams like Ospreys and Edinburgh.

Sat, 29 Apr, 2017

Buzz is back but Munster must address shortcomings in attack

On a monumental, if ultimately disappointing, weekend for Irish rugby, one hopes valuable lessons will be learned by all concerned, including those responsible for running the club game in this country.

Wed, 26 Apr, 2017

Journey only just beginning for Munster

Moments that mattered. Turning points. Key plays. We love the drama of a game decided by a spark of magic or, failing that, a blooper. 

Mon, 24 Apr, 2017

Murray worry for Sarries game but Stander has ‘good chance’

Conor Murray remains a doubt for Munster’s Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens on Saturday afternoon according to the province’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus.

Mon, 17 Apr, 2017

Ulster's Charles Piutau wants chance to get on front foot against Munster

Ulster’s marquee signing Charles Piutau has been a bit of a nomenclature lately as his pack struggle for the type of possession that his dancing feet and flair require.

Sat, 15 Apr, 2017

Business as usual for Francis Saili against Ulster

No friends on the field.

Thu, 13 Apr, 2017

Rassie Erasmus looking to balance momentum and priorities

Player management was the name of the game when Rassie Erasmus yesterday ann-ounced his Munster squad for tonight’s (7.35pm) Guinness Pro 12 clash with Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park.

Sat, 08 Apr, 2017

Glasgow Warriors v Munster - European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 1 Round 5

Munster v Toulouse: How the sides compare

MUNSTER - Team news

Sat, 01 Apr, 2017

Jaco Taute: ‘It’s going to be all-out warfare, it’s going to be crazy’

You get the impression from listening to Jaco Taute that the night before Munster meet Toulouse he might well be like an excited eight-year-old on Christmas Eve.

Thu, 30 Mar, 2017

Rassie will break his rules to wait for Murray

Conor Murray will be given every possible chance to prove his fitness to face Toulouse this Saturday, with Munster prepared to wait until the morning of the game to see if the Ireland scrum-half’s injured shoulder can heal.

Tue, 28 Mar, 2017

Has Rassie Erasmus hooked a Shark with bite?

Rassie Erasmus struck gold when he captured Jaco Taute on a short-term loan from the Stormers, but is it too much to expect Jean Deysel to make a similar impact during his limited time at Munster?

Thu, 23 Mar, 2017

Conor Murray may miss Reds’ big Toulouse battle

Conor Murray remains a doubt for Munster’s Champions Cup quarter-final with Toulouse on April 1 with the province uncertain how quickly the scrum-half will recover from the shoulder injury suffered on Ireland duty.

Tue, 21 Mar, 2017

Munster self-belief again evident after late win over Cardiff

Cardiff Blues 13 - Munster 23: This was Munster at their resolute best as they hit Cardiff Blues with a late sucker punch in the Welsh capital.

Mon, 06 Mar, 2017

Munster can’t afford another setback

Munster and Cardiff Blues won’t be lacking incentives when they clash at the Arms Park this evening in a Guinness PRO12 encounter that could play an important part in their seasons.

Sat, 04 Mar, 2017

Jaco Taute is loving life in the Munster jersey

Jaco Taute: ‘I get along with everyone so well and get along with the coaches, especially the players, my team mates. It has been great.’

Wed, 01 Mar, 2017

It all goes awry for Munster against Scarlets

Munster 21 Scarlets 30: For 40 minutes at Thomond Park last night, Munster played some of their finest rugby of the season and deservedly opened up a 15 point lead over Welsh visitors Scarlets in a truly remarkable Guinness Pro 12 encounter.

Sat, 25 Feb, 2017

Munster blow lead as Scarlets win at Thomond for first time in 14 years

Scarlets claimed the scalp of Guinness PRO12 leaders Munster with a stunning 30-21 comeback win at Thomond Park.

Fri, 24 Feb, 2017

Rassie Erasmus has many reasons to be cheerful following Guinness PRO12 win

Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus described Saturday’s incredible Guinness PRO12 victory over Ospreys as “satisfying”.

Tue, 21 Feb, 2017

Ospreys v Munster - Guinness PRO12 Round 15

Rassie all smiles as Munster pass big Ospreys challenge

Ospreys 23 - Munster 25: As gritty and resilient away performances go, this was right up there with Munster’s best and bravest. 

Mon, 20 Feb, 2017

Munster v Glasgow Warriors - European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 1 Round 2

Erasmus stands over Munster's player recruitment - 'We will only recruit when we need guys'

Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus stressed this week that he will only sign overseas players when it is absolutely necessary to do so. 

Fri, 17 Feb, 2017

Darren Sweetnam back to bolster Munster

The competition for places in the Munster back division is ramped up still further this week with the return of Darren Sweetnam for tonight’s Guinness PRO12 game against Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park.

Fri, 10 Feb, 2017

Future uncertain but Francis Saili still giving his all for Munster

The name of Francis Saili was significant by its absence when a whole raft of contract extensions was announced by Munster recently, leaving the New Zealander to admit he still doesn’t know if this is his last year with the province.

Thu, 09 Feb, 2017

Another big Scottish test for Munster

Munster can expect the kind of reception they like to dish out to visiting teams when they take on Edinburgh in tonight’s deferred Guinness Pro 12 game at Myreside.

Fri, 03 Feb, 2017

Rassie Erasmus keeps focus strictly on Munster job

Munster director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, enjoying a week off from active duty, has made little of reports linking him with the top job back home in South Africa. But he has still been a busy man, putting plans in place to ensure that under his stewardship his Munster charges continue their upward curve.

Wed, 25 Jan, 2017

Ronan O’Gara encouraged as ‘honest‘ Racing give their all

Pride restored after a Parisian wake-up call a fortnight ago, Ronan O’Gara was able to take plenty of encouragement from Racing 92’s honourable defeat on his return to Thomond Park.

Mon, 23 Jan, 2017

Tommy O’Donnell, James Cronin and Ronan O’Mahony back for Racing return

Rassie Erasmus has made three changes from the side which booked a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals last Saturday in Glasgow as Munster play their 60th top-flight European game at Thomond Park.

Sat, 21 Jan, 2017

Old values bring new possibilities for Munster

Glasgow 12 Munster 14: With no frills and few thrills Munster left Glasgow on Saturday night with everything they had hoped for. 

Mon, 16 Jan, 2017

Three out of eight quarter-finalists would be great

At last, a contest this round of Champions Cup rugby so badly needed. After the capitulations witnessed in some of the other Rd 5 games, it was so refreshing to see Glasgow and Munster give absolutely everything in an effort to secure a win and a coveted quarter final slot.

Mon, 16 Jan, 2017

Munster handling of Conor Murray faces scrutiny

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have launched an inquiry into Munster’s handling of a head injury to Conor Murray during Saturday’s Champions Cup win over Glasgow Warriors.

Mon, 16 Jan, 2017