Costello refuses to blame bizarre officiating blunder for damaging Munster defeat

The hosts were incorrectly reduced to 14 men for 13 second-half minutes before referee Andrea Piardi was shown the error of his ways

MAN IN MIDDLE: Referee Andrea Piardi during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Vodacom Bulls at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Munster boss Ian Costello refused to blame a refereeing error for his side’s URC home defeat to the Bulls in Limerick on Saturday but admitted the incorrect removal of Alex Kendellen for 13 second-half minutes of their 16-13 loss was “far from ideal”.

The defeat leaves Munster hanging onto seventh place in the URC standings with three rounds of the regular season remaining and needing a top-eight finish to both make the play-off quarter-finals and qualify for next season’s Champions Cup.