Munster Stunned by Ulster's Speed and Strength in Derby Triumph

Ulster Secures Dominant Victory Over Munster in Challenging Conditions

Ulster began the year 2026 on a high note after defeating Munster with a score of 28-3 at the Affidea Stadium on Friday night. The stadium was packed with fans, creating an electric atmosphere for what turned out to be a thrilling match.

The game started with Ulster taking an early lead through two penalties from Nathan Doak. However, as the weather worsened, so did the quality of play. By halftime, the teams were separated by just three points, with Munster managing to score through a penalty from JJ Hanrahan.

Despite the challenging conditions, the second half belonged entirely to Ulster. Playing with increased aggression and tempo, they launched wave after wave of attacks. Tries from Tom Stewart, Jake Flannery, and Player of the Match Bryn Ward secured a comfortable victory for Ulster.

Head coach Richie Murphy reflected on the difficult conditions: “Unbelievably tough night for rugby,” he said. “Coming into it, we expected dry weather and little wind, but the snow shower before the game made it really difficult to play.”

Murphy explained the team’s strategy: “We try to vary our game between ball in hand and applying pressure through a kicking game. Early on, we couldn’t break them down and didn’t look after the ball well enough, but we put them under a lot of pressure, and that told in the second half.”

Ulster felt they could have scored more in the first half. They had several opportunities near the Munster line but were turned over twice. However, their composure improved in the second half, which proved crucial.

“We talked about looking after the ball better because a couple of times in the first half, we didn’t respect the ball enough. In the second half, we focused on maintaining strong field position and keeping pressure on Munster. We also made sure not to give any soft outs defensively,” Murphy added.

The players responded well to these strategies, and there were moments when Ulster was close to scoring, though some decisions didn’t go their way. “We’ll take the four points and move on,” Murphy concluded.

Standout Performances

It was a night where anyone in a white jersey could have won Player of the Match. Angus Bell delivered his strongest performance since joining the team a month ago. Werner Kok, although not scoring, was present throughout the game.

However, the most eye-catching performances came from the Ward brothers, Zac and Bryn. With number eight Juarno Augustus sidelined, younger brother Bryn stepped in and became the standout performer of the match.

“Both are incredible ball carriers,” said Murphy. “They’re physical, play with a smile on their face, and are doing exceptionally well. There’s still so much more they can achieve. The ceiling is very high for both of them.”

Bryn’s performance was particularly impressive, as he took on the role previously filled by Juarno. “His ball carrying is right up there with the best in the world. At 118 kilos, he moves quicker than most wingers. It’s incredible strength for a back row forward to have.”