'Significant burden' for Costello and Munster to claim URC knock-out spot

They will start the weekend in ninth place ahead of Ulster’s visit to Thomond Park this Friday before a final game of the regular season at home to Benetton in Cork seven days later.

Munster Rugby Squad Training, UL, Limerick 5/5/2025

Ian Costello has admitted Munster’s Champions Cup exit at Bordeaux has led to their recent run of poor form in the URC but the interim boss insisted his team still had control of its destiny with play-off qualification on the line.

Munster will look to rebound from a three-game losing streak which began at Stade Chaban-Delmas in a European quarter-final defeat on April 12. The 2023 URC champions returned to league duty in fifth place and with their sights set on securing a top-four finish in the standings to earn a home quarter-final in the first round of the play-offs. Back-to-back losses to the Bulls at home and then at Cardiff 11 days ago leave Munster outside the top eight and fighting to reach both the knockout rounds and next season’s Champions Cup draw.