2020–21 Munster Rugby season
Ground(s)Thomond Park (Capacity: 25,600)[1]
Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,008)
ChairmanGerry O'Shea
CEOIan Flanagan
PresidentSeán McCullough
Coach(es)Johann van Graan
Captain(s)Peter O'Mahony
Most appearances
Two players
Top scorerJJ Hanrahan (131)
Most triesGavin Coombes (15)
League(s)Pro14
2020–211st (Conf. B), Runners up
← 2019–20 2021–22 →

The 2020–21 Munster Rugby season was Munster's twentieth season competing in the Pro14, alongside which they also competed in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was Johann van Graan's fourth season as head coach.[2]

Events

As in the 2019–20 Pro14 season, Munster spent the 2020–21 Pro14 season in Conference B, alongside Benetton, Cardiff Blues, Connacht, Edinburgh and Scarlets[3] South African side the Southern Kings were scheduled to participate in the conference, but they declared their withdrawal from rugby for the remainder of 2020 due to financial difficulties and travel restrictions enforced by the South African government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,[4] before the South African Rugby Union board placed the club into voluntary liquidation in September 2020.[5]

Due to the mid-season break during the 2019–20 season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season started later than usual.[6] The EPCR agreed a new format for the 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup in response to COVID-19: the top eight eligible teams from the Pro14, the Gallagher Premiership and Top 14 competed in a 24-team tournament divided into two pools of twelve teams, with each team playing four games in the pool stage - two at home and two away.[7]

Ahead of the season, there were no changes to Munster's coaching stuff, though CEO Ian Flanagan told journalists that, while it isn't a priority, the search for a fifth coach to join the team remained active.[8] Head of athletic performance Denis Logan returned home to the United States with his family at the end of October 2020,[9] with Ged McNamara, previously the lead athletic development coach for Munster's academy, promoted to replace Logan.[10] Elite player development manager Peter Malone left his academy role with the province in early 2021,[11] and former Munster player Andi Kyriacou returned to the province as an elite player development officer in April 2021.[12]

The big news in terms of player movements was the arrival of two of South Africa's 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning squad - centre Damian de Allende and lock RG Snyman. Irish-qualified fullback Matt Gallagher arrived from English club Saracens, while Hawaii-born prop Roman Salanoa made the move south from Leinster. Five academy players also graduated to the senior squad: prop Keynan Knox, hooker Diarmuid Barron, back-rower Jack O'Sullivan, centre Alex McHenry and winger Liam Coombes.[13]

Two players - fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal and prop Brian Scott - were forced to retire from rugby due to injury during the 2019–20 mid-season break, whilst prop Ciaran Parker, locks Darren O'Shea and Seán O'Connor, back-rowers Arno Botha and Conor Oliver and centre Sammy Arnold departed the province for new clubs.[14] Winger Alex Wootton also left the province on loan to Connacht for the 2020–21 season.[15]

On the academy front, three players joined year one of the programme: hooker Scott Buckley, back-rower Alex Kendellen and fly-half Jack Crowley. Jack Stafford and Alan Tynan completed their three years in the academy and were released by the province.[16] Lock Cian Hurley and winger Conor Phillips joined the academy in April 2021, whilst hooker Eoghan Clarke left to join English club Jersey Reds.[17]

Munster opened their 2020–21 Pro14 season with a 30–27 away win against Scarlets on 3 October 2020. Despite nine penalties from Scarlets fullback Leigh Halfpenny and a red card for captain Peter O'Mahony, tries from Jack O'Donoghue and Chris Farrell kept Munster within touching distance of the hosts, and a try from replacement hooker Kevin O'Byrne, converted by Ben Healy, levelled the score going into the final minutes of the game, before academy fly-half Healy scored a 50-metre penalty in the 81st minute to earn what had previously looked like an unlikely win for the province.[18]

The draw for the 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup was made on 28 October 2020, with Munster being drawn in pool B. The province faced English side Harlequins, where former Munster player and coach Jerry Flannery was a coach, and French side Clermont, who were, at the time, the only French side to have ever won a Champions Cup game in Thomond Park.[19]

Munster's Champions Cup campaign commenced with a 21–7 home win against Harlequins on 13 December 2020, in which Gavin Coombes, Damian de Allende and Josh Wycherley made their tournament debuts. Coombes scored one try, with the other being a penalty try, with JJ Hanrahan and Ben Healy adding nine points of the kicking tee between them.[20] Munster travelled away to Clermont for round two on 19 December 2020 and, despite trailing 28–9 to the home side at one point, fought back to earn a stunning 39–31 win at the Stade Marcel-Michelin. The tries for Munster came from Mike Haley, star-of-the-match CJ Stander and Kevin O'Byrne, with JJ Hanrahan scoring a perfect nine from nine off the kicking tee for the other 24 points.[21]

It was announced in December 2020 that the 2020–21 Pro14 season would conclude after 16 rounds, with the winners of each conference advancing straight to the final on 27 March 2021. Four South African Super Rugby teams - the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers - were then be introduced in the Rainbow Cup.[22]

In early January 2021, the EPCR took the decision to temporarily suspend rounds 3 and 4 of the 2020–21 Champions Cup, following a directive from authorities in France that French clubs should not participate in the scheduled matches in response to health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]

Munster's 20–17 win against Connacht in round 14 of the 2020–21 Pro14 on 5 March 2021 saw them become the first team to qualify for 2021 Pro14 Grand Final, as the victory gave them an unassailable 12 point lead at the top of conference B with two rounds remaining.[24] Munster were beaten 16–6 by arch-rivals Leinster in the 2021 Pro14 Grand Final on 27 March 2021.[25]

The Champions Cup resumed on the weekend of 2/3/4 April 2021 with the top eight teams from each pool at the time of suspension progressing to the round of 16, where Munster had home advantage thanks to their wins in the opening games against Harlequins and Clermont.[26] Munster were drawn against Toulouse.[27]

In an enthralling encounter at Thomond Park, Munster led 16–9 at half-time thanks to two tries from Keith Earls and two penalties from Joey Carbery, but Toulouse pulled level thanks to a converted try from Matthis Lebel. Gavin Coombes scored from close-range to give Munster the lead again, before Toulouse captain Julien Marchand responded with a try to level the scores again at 23–23. Substitute fly-half JJ Hanrahan scored a penalty to give Munster a 26–23 lead heading into the final 15 minutes of the match, but Toulouse's talismanic scrum-half Antoine Dupont scored two tries in 9 minutes to help the French club pull away on the scoreboard. A late consolation try from Gavin Coombes, his second of the match, in overtime meant the final score was 40–33 to Toulouse, who became just the second French club to win a European match at Thomond Park and advanced to an away quarter-final against Munster's pool opponents Clermont.[28]

Munster's Pro14 Rainbow Cup commenced with a 27–3 away win against Leinster on 24 April 2021,[29] which was followed by a 38–10 home win against Ulster on 7 May 2021,[30] before Munster's perfect start to the tournament was brought to a halt by a 24–20 home defeat against Connacht on 14 May 2021.[31] The province returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 31–27 win against Cardiff Blues on 28 May 2021,[32] however, Munster's hopes of reaching the final of the tournament were ended when northern pool leaders Benetton were awarded four match points after Covid-19 cases amongst their Welsh opponents Ospreys forced the cancellation of their scheduled fixture, giving the Italian team an unassailable lead at the top of the pool.[33] Munster's final game of the tournament, and the season, was a 54–11 away win against Zebre on 11 June 2021.[34]

Coaching and management staff

Position Name Nationality
Head coach Johann van Graan  South Africa
Senior coach Stephen Larkham  Australia
Defence coach JP Ferreira  South Africa
Forwards coach Graham Rowntree  England
Team manager Niall O'Donovan  Ireland
Head of athletic performance Denis Logan (Until October 2020)[9]  United States
Head of athletic performance Ged McNamara (Since November 2020)  Ireland
Strength and conditioning coach Damien O'Donoghue  Ireland
Strength and conditioning coach Adam Sheehan  Ireland
Performance analyst George Murray  Ireland

Players

Senior squad

Munster Rugby senior squad[lower-alpha 1]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Back three

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
L denotes a player on loan at the club.
Players and their allocated positions from the Munster Rugby website.[35]
  1. ↑ Alex Wootton is contracted to Munster for the 2020–21 season, but is on a season-long loan at Connacht. Ulster academy prop Callum Reid joined Munster on a six-week loan as injury cover ahead of round 4 of the 2020–21 Pro14. Leinster sub-academy scrum-half Ben Murphy joined on a seven-week deal as cover ahead of round 5. Leinster academy scrum-half Paddy Patterson joined on a short-term contract at the end of January 2021. Darren Sweetnam joined La Rochelle as injury cover for three months in late March 2021.

Academy squad

Munster Rugby academy squad

Props

Hookers

  • Ireland Scott Buckley (1)
  • Ireland Eoghan Clarke (3)

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

  • None

Fly-halves

Centres

  • None

Back three

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players, number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Munster Rugby website.[36][37]

    Player movements

    The 2020–21 season was unusual in that many of the players scheduled to join their new clubs during the summer pre-season ahead of the commencement of the new season were instead able to join during the mid-season break in the 2019–20 season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are the player movements originally scheduled for the 2020–21 season that instead took place in that mid-season break. Italics indicates players that transferred during the 2020–21 season.

    Senior squad

    Academy squad

    2020–21 Pro14

    2020–21 Pro14 Table
    Conference A
    Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
    1Ireland Leinster (CH) 161402576285+291823314171
    2Ireland Ulster 161402469263+20665348064
    3Wales Ospreys 16808301318-1734391336
    4Scotland Glasgow Warriors 166010335377-4240472430
    5Wales Dragons 166010215394-7936502329
    6Italy Zebre 164012237508-27122690117
    Conference B
    Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
    1Ireland Munster (RU) 161402413250+16349267264
    2Ireland Connacht 16808396353+4353367645
    3Wales Scarlets 16808319333-1436383439
    4Wales Cardiff Blues 16808265284-1930323136
    5Scotland Edinburgh 165110247344-9729431429*
    6Italy Benetton 160115252415-1643453167*
    * Cancelled fixture: Edinburgh awarded four match points.
    If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[52]
    1. number of matches won
    2. the difference between points for and points against
    3. the number of tries scored
    4. the most points scored
    5. the difference between tries for and tries against
    6. the fewest red cards received
    7. the fewest yellow cards received
    Green background indicates teams that will compete in the Pro14 Final, and also earn a place in the 2021–22 European Champions Cup

    Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the 2021–22 European Champions Cup
    Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2021–22 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
    (CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners.

      Round 1

      3 October 2020
      15:00
      (1 BP) Scarlets Wales27–30Ireland Munster
      Pen: Halfpenny (9/9) 16', 20', 25', 35', 45', 51', 55', 65', 70'Report
      Report      		Try: O'Donoghue 28' c
      Farrell 67' c
      O'Byrne 77' c
      Con: Hanrahan (1/1) 28'
      Healy (2/2) 69', 78'
      Pen: Hanrahan (1/2) 48'
      Healy (2/2) 72', 80+1'
      Parc y Scarlets
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

      Round 2

      10 October 2020
      19:35
      Munster Ireland25–23Scotland Edinburgh (1 BP)
      Try: Stander 76' c
      Con: Healy (1/1) 77'
      Pen: Healy (6/7) 3', 6', 19', 40', 53', 57'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Bennett 12' c
      Nel 29' c
      Con: Van der Walt (2/2) 13', 30'
      Pen: Van der Walt (2/2) 49', 73'
      Bennett (1/1) 66'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

      Round 3

      26 October 2020
      20:15
      (1 BP) Munster Ireland38–27Wales Cardiff Blues
      Try: G. Coombes (2) 6' c, 26' c
      O'Byrne 51' c
      O'Donoghue 58' c
      Hanrahan 67' c
      Con: Healy (4/4) 7', 27', 52', 59'
      Hanrahan (1/1) 68'
      Pen: Healy (1/2) 40'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Lee-Lo 1' c
      Summerhill 54' c
      Halaholo 62' c
      Con: J. Evans (3/3) 2', 55', 63'
      Pen: J. Evans (2/2) 16', 29'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

      Round 4

      1 November 2020
      14:00
      Dragons Wales16–28Ireland Munster
      Try: S. Davies 31' m
      Screech 79' m
      Pen: S. Davies (2/3) 2', 46'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Gallagher (2) 13' m, 71' c
      Nash 24' c
      Con: Hanrahan (2/3) 25', 72'
      Pen: Hanrahan (3/3) 7', 22', 51'
      Rodney Parade
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Ben Blain (SRU)

      Round 5

      7 November 2020
      14:00
      Benetton ItalyP–PIreland Munster
      Stadio Monigo
      • Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 cases amongst the Benetton squad.[53]

      Round 6

      15 November 2020
      14:45
      (1 BP) Munster Ireland38–22Wales Ospreys
      Try: G. Coombes (3) 13' c, 43' c, 53' c
      Haley 18' c
      O'Byrne 37'
      Con: Hanrahan (1/1) 14'
      R. Scannell (1/1) 19'
      Healy (3/3) 38', 44', 54'
      Pen: Healy (1/1) 23'      		Report
      Report      		Try: L. Morgan 5' c
      Lake 64' m
      Penalty try 76'
      Con: Myler (1/2) 7'
      Pen: Myler (1/1) 33'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

      Round 7

      23 November 2020
      20:15
      Glasgow Warriors Scotland13–27Ireland Munster (1 BP)
      Try: Bryce 13' m
      Stewart 63' m
      Pen: Thomson (1/1) 18'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Holland 10' c
      F. Wycherley 31' m
      G. Coombes 68' c
      Kleyn 77' m
      Con: Healy (2/3) 12', 70'
      Pen: Healy (1/3) 46'
      Scotstoun Stadium
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)

      Round 8

      30 November 2020
      20:15
      (1 BP) Munster Ireland52–3Italy Zebre
      Try: Goggin 7' c
      De Allende 26' c
      Penalty try 36'
      Sweetnam 40' c
      Hanrahan 43' c
      S. French 56' c
      Casey 78' m
      Ahern 80+2' m
      Con: Hanrahan (5/7) 8', 27', 40+1', 44', 58'      		Report
      Report      		Pen: Pescetto (1/1) 13'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

      Round 9

      26 December 2020
      19:35
      Munster IrelandP–PIreland Leinster
      Thomond Park
      • Fixture postponed due to delayed COVID-19 test results from Leinster.[54]

      Round 10

      2 January 2021
      17:15
      Ulster Ireland15–10Ireland Munster (1 BP)
      Try: Faddes 6' m
      McIlroy 16' c
      Con: Cooney (1/2) 17'
      Pen: Cooney (1/1) 28'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Sweetnam 80+2' c
      Con: Crowley (1/1) 80+4'
      Pen: Healy (1/2) 12'
      Kingspan Stadium
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

      Round 11

      9 January 2021
      19:35
      (1 BP) Connacht Ireland10–16Ireland Munster
      Try: Sullivan 78' c
      Con: Carty (1/1) 78'
      Pen: Carty (1/2) 40+1'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Farrell 18' c
      Con: Hanrahan (1/1) 10'
      Pen: Hanrahan (3/3) 19', 42', 61'
      The Sportsground
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

      Rescheduled round 9

      23 January 2021
      19:35
      (1 BP) Munster Ireland10–13Ireland Leinster
      Try: Beirne 11' c
      Con: Hanrahan (1/1) 11'
      Pen: Hanrahan (1/3) 5'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Larmour 69' c
      Con: R. Byrne (1/1) 70'
      Pen: Sexton (2/2) 25', 40+4'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

      Rescheduled round 5

      30 January 2021
      17:00
      (1 BP) Benetton Italy16–18Ireland Munster
      Try: Esposito 25' m
      Sarto 71' m
      Pen: Allan (2/2) 33', 40'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Sweetnam 2' m
      N. Scannell 9' c
      Con: Healy (1/2) 10'
      Pen: Healy (1/1) 54'
      Drop: Hanrahan (1/1) 80+1'
      Stadio Monigo
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

      Round 12

      20 February 2021
      19:35
      Edinburgh Scotland10–22Ireland Munster
      Try: Mata 45' c
      Con: Van der Walt (1/1) 46'
      Pen: Van der Walt (1/1) 8'      		Report
      Report      		Try: O'Donoghue 29' c
      Casey 36' c
      G. Coombes 55' m
      Con: Hanrahan (2/3) 30', 36'
      Pen: Hanrahan (1/1) 15'
      Murrayfield
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

      Round 13

      26 February 2021
      20:00
      Cardiff Blues Wales11–20Ireland Munster
      Try: S. Davies 11' m
      Pen: B. Thomas (2/4) 36', 52'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Kleyn 54' c
      N. Scannell 77' c
      Con: Hanrahan (1/1) 55'
      Carbery (1/1) 78'
      Pen: Hanrahan (2/3) 27', 38'
      Cardiff Arms Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)

      Round 14

      5 March 2021
      19:35
      Munster Ireland20–17Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
      Try: J. Cronin 22' c
      Haley 57' c
      Con: Healy (1/1) 23'
      Carbery (1/1) 58'
      Pen: Healy (1/3) 43'
      Carbery (1/1) 68'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Healy 4' c
      Boyle 62' c
      Con: Carty (2/2) 5', 64'
      Pen: Carty (1/1) 26'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

      Round 15

      12 March 2021
      20:00
      (1 BP) Munster Ireland28–10Wales Scarlets
      Try: G. Coombes 19' c
      S. Daly 25' c
      N. Scannell 40' c
      O'Byrne 58' c
      Con: Carbery (4/4) 20', 25', 40+1', 59'      		Report
      Report      		Try: S. Evans 80+2'
      Con: O'Brien (1/1) 80+2'
      Pen: O'Brien (1/1) 24'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Seán Gallagher (IRFU)

      Round 16

      19 March 2021
      18:00
      (1 BP) Munster Ireland31–17Italy Benetton
      Try: McHenry 39' c
      Knox 46' c
      Salanoa 58' c
      Healy 73' c
      Con: Hanrahan (3/3) 40', 47', 58'
      Healy (1/1) 74'
      Pen: Hanrahan (1/1) 26'      		Report
      Report      		Try: Duvenage 22' c
      Els 70' m
      Pettinelli 78' m
      Con: Allan (1/3) 23'
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)

      Final

      27 March 2021
      17:00
      Leinster Ireland16–6Ireland Munster
      Try: Conan 46' c
      Con: R. Byrne (1/1) 47'
      Pen: R. Byrne (3/4) 3', 11', 68'      		Report
      Report      		Pen: Carbery (2/3) 13', 40+1'
      RDS
      Attendance: 0
      Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

      Rainbow Cup

      Pro14 Rainbow Cup
      Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
      1Italy Benetton541012578+4714102022**
      2Ireland Munster540117075+952383120
      3Scotland Glasgow Warriors5401121117+417153019
      4Ireland Leinster530212487+3719102115
      5Wales Cardiff Blues5302124123+116162115
      6Ireland Connacht5302109133–2415182014
      7Wales Scarlets5122110115–513152113*
      8Wales Ospreys521210388+1514112111**
      9Scotland Edinburgh5113126140–1418192210
      10Ireland Ulster511385116–311218228*
      11Wales Dragons5104117156–391422217
      12Italy Zebre500588174-861023033
      * Cancelled fixture: Scarlets awarded four match points.
      ** Cancelled fixture: Benetton awarded four match points.
      If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[55]
      1. number of matches won;
      2. the difference between points for and points against;
      3. the number of tries scored;
      4. the most points scored;
      5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
      6. the fewest red cards received;
      7. the fewest yellow cards received.
      Green background (row 1) is the play-off places and earn a place in the final against the 1st placed Rainbow Cup SA team.

        Round 1

        24 April 2021
        19:35
        Leinster Ireland3–27Ireland Munster
        Pen: Hawkshaw (1/2) 8'Report
        Report        		Try: Murray (2) 4' c, 61' c
        Penalty try 71'
        Con: Carbery (2/2) 5', 62'
        Pen: Carbery (2/2) 36', 52'
        RDS
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)

        Round 2

        7 May 2021
        20:15
        (1 BP) Munster Ireland38–10Ireland Ulster
        Try: R. Scannell (2) 10' c, 54' c
        Murray 26' m
        Haley 40' c
        Hanrahan 58' c
        Conway 78' m
        Con: Hanrahan (4/5) 11', 40+1', 55', 59'        		Report
        Report        		Try: Henderson 43' c
        Con: Lowry (1/1) 45'
        Pen: Lowry (1/1) 2'
        Thomond Park
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)

        Round 3

        14 May 2021
        18:00
        (1 BP) Munster Ireland20–24Ireland Connacht
        Try: J.Cronin 6' c
        Marshall 34' c
        Con: Healy (2/2) 7', 35'
        Pen: Healy (1/1) 51'
        Carbery (1/1) 64'        		Report
        Report        		Try: Arnold 8' c
        C. Fitzgerald 26' c
        Marmion 40' c
        Con: C. Fitzgerald (3/3) 9', 27', 41'
        Pen: C. Fitzgerald (1/1) 4'
        Thomond Park
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)

        Round 4

        28 May 2021
        19:35
        (1 BP) Munster Ireland31–27Wales Cardiff Blues (1 BP)
        Try: N. Scannell (2) 29' c, 37' c
        F. Wycherley 33' c
        Knox 74' c
        Con: Carbery (4/4) 30', 34', 38', 75'
        Pen: Carbery (1/1) 50'        		Report
        Report        		Try: To. Williams (2) 2' c, 45' c
        L. Williams 55' c
        Con: J. Evans (3/3) 3', 46', 56'
        Pen: J. Evans (2/2) 18', 69'
        Thomond Park
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

        Round 5

        • Round 5 was a bye-week for Munster.

        Round 6

        11 June 2021
        18:00
        Zebre Italy11–54Ireland Munster (1 BP)
        Try: Mori 57' m
        Pen: Canna (2/2) 21', 24'        		Report
        Report        		Try: G. Coombes (4) 9' c, 35' c, 68' c, 80+5' m
        Casey (2) 27' c, 40+1' c
        N. Scannell 46' c
        L. Coombes 60' c
        Con: Carbery (6/6) 10', 28', 37', 40+3', 47', 62'
        Flannery (1/1) 69'
        Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
        Attendance: 1,000
        Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

        2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup

        Munster were drawn in pool B for the 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup. Due to the changed competition format for the 2020–21 season, Munster played home-and-away fixtures against French side Clermont, who were the only French team to have ever won a Champions Cup game at Thomond Park at the time, and English side Harlequins, where former Munster player and coach Jerry Flannery was a coach.[19]

        Pool B

        Team
        		 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
        France Lyon 22008310+731211010
        France Racing 92 22007529+461142010
        France Toulouse 22005722+35832010
        Ireland Munster 22006038+2255008
        France Clermont 21018277+5118206
        England Bristol Bears 21016569-499206
        England Exeter Chiefs 21014228+1464105
        England Gloucester 21014889-41612105
        Ireland Ulster 20025667-1179123
        Ireland Connacht 20024053-1358011
        England Harlequins 20021470-5629000
        Scotland Glasgow Warriors 2002070-70010000

        [56]

        Key to colours
             Top 8 of each pool, advance to last 16.
             Teams 5–8 in pool advance to 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

        Round 1

        13 December 2020
        17:30
        Munster Ireland21–7England Harlequins
        Try: Penalty try 49'
        G. Coombes 69' m
        Pen: Hanrahan (2/3) 12', 37'
        Healy (1/1) 62'        		Report
        Report        		Try: Murley 55' c
        Con: Smith (1/1) 56'
        Thomond Park
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (FFR)

        Round 2

        19 December 2020
        17:30
        (1 BP) Clermont France31–39Ireland Munster
        Try: Raka 0' c
        Penalty try 6'
        Penaud 14' c
        Fourcade 23' c
        Con: Lopez (3/3) 1', 15', 25'
        Pen: Lopez (1/1) 60'        		Report
        Report        		Try: Haley 28' c
        Stander 69' c
        O'Byrne 77' c
        Con: Hanrahan (3/3) 29', 71', 77'
        Pen: Hanrahan (6/6) 4', 8', 19', 43', 52', 57'
        Stade Marcel-Michelin
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)

        Round 3

        16 January 2021
        17:30
        Munster IrelandCancelledFrance Clermont
        Thomond Park

        Round 4

        23 January 2021
        18:30
        Harlequins EnglandCancelledIreland Munster
        The Stoop

        Last 16

        3 April 2021
        15:00
        Munster Ireland33–40France Toulouse
        Try: Earls (2) 24' m, 27' m
        G. Coombes (2) 50' c, 80' c
        Con: Carbery (1/3) 51'
        Casey (1/1) 80'
        Pen: Carbery (2/2) 14', 40+1'
        Hanrahan (1/1) 65'        		Report
        Report        		Try: Lebel 42' c
        Marchand 54' c
        Dupont (2) 67' c, 76' c
        Con: Ntamack (4/4) 43', 55', 68', 77'
        Pen: Ntamack (4/6) 3', 16', 30', 75'
        Thomond Park
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

        2020–21 Munster A season

        Friendlies

        19 September 2020
        14:00
        Connacht Eagles Ireland19–22Ireland Munster A
        Report
        The Sportsground
        Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
        26 September 2020
        15:00
        Munster A Ireland40–12Ireland Connacht Eagles
        Report
        Thomond Park
        Attendance: 200
        Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)
        12 December 2020
        16:30
        Ulster A Ireland22–10Ireland Munster A
        Report
        Kingspan Stadium
        Attendance: 0
        18 December 2020
        17:00
        Munster A Ireland34–25Ireland Leinster A
        Report
        Thomond Park
        Attendance: 0
        27 February 2021
        12:30
        Munster A Ireland29–22Ireland Ulster A
        Report
        Energia Park
        Attendance: 0

        Interpro Challenge Match

        13 February 2021
        13:00
        Connacht Eagles Ireland7–16Ireland Munster A
        Report
        The Sportsground
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Seán Gallagher (IRFU)
        6 March 2021
        12:00
        Connacht Eagles Ireland24–24Ireland Munster A
        Report
        The Sportsground
        Attendance: 0
        Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

        Annual Ireland U20 Challenge Match

        4 June 2021
        13:00
        Munster A Ireland35–19Ireland Ireland U20
        Report
        IRFU High Performance Centre, Dublin
        Attendance: 0

        References

        1. ↑ Thomond Park's official capacity is 25,600 but can be expanded up to 26,276 with temporary seating.
        2. ↑ "Johann van Graan to join Munster as head coach". South African Rugby Union. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
        3. ↑ "Conferences Confirmed For Next Two Guinness PRO14 Seasons". Munster Rugby. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
        4. ↑ "Pro14 reduced to 12 teams as South African clubs miss out for new campaign". The42. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
        5. ↑ "SA Rugby board puts Southern Kings in financial liquidation". SA Rugby Magazine. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
        6. ↑ "Target Date Set For Guinness PRO14 Restart". Munster Rugby. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
        7. ↑ "EPCR confirm new 24-team Champions Cup next season, and Connacht are in". The42. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
        8. ↑ "Munster's search for a fifth coach still active but not main priority". The42. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
        9. 1 2 "Munster begin hunt for a new Head of Athletic Performance". Irish Examiner. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
        10. ↑ "Podcast | The Crooked Feed – Ged McNamara". Munster Rugby. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
        11. ↑ "Academy Update". Munster Rugby. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
        12. ↑ "Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Update | May 2021". Munster Rugby. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
        13. ↑ "The Munster depth chart: Big-name signings and fascinating selection battles". The42. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
        14. ↑ "Squad Update | Off-Season". Munster Rugby. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
        15. 1 2 "Player Update | Alex Wootton". Munster Rugby. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
        16. ↑ "Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
        17. ↑ "Academy Update | April 2021". Munster Rugby. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
        18. ↑ "Report | Healy Caps Incredible Comeback For 14-Man Munster". Munster Rugby. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
        19. 1 2 "Munster To Face Clermont & Harlequins In Champions Cup". Munster Rugby. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
        20. ↑ "Report | Munster Make Winning Start To Champions Cup". Munster Rugby. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
        21. ↑ "Match Report | Munster Secure Dramatic Comeback Victory In Clermont". Munster Rugby. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
        22. ↑ "Guinness PRO14 Campaign To Conclude In March Ahead Of New "Rainbow Cup"". Munster Rugby. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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        28. ↑ "Toulouse run in four second-half tries to send Munster out of Champions Cup". Irish Examiner. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
        29. ↑ "Report | Munster Beat Leinster At RDS". Munster Rugby. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
        30. ↑ "Report | Bonus-Point Win For Munster Over Ulster". Munster Rugby. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
        31. ↑ "Report | Munster Fall To Defeat At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
        32. ↑ "Report | Bonus-Point Win For Munster Over Cardiff". Munster Rugby. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
        33. ↑ "End of Munster road a fitting finale to Rainbow Cup farce". Irish Examiner. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
        34. ↑ "Report | Munster Finish Season With Bonus-Point Victory". Munster Rugby. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
        35. ↑ "Munster Rugby | 1st Team Squad". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
        36. 1 2 3 4 5 "Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        37. 1 2 3 4 "Academy Update | April 2021". Munster Rugby. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
        38. ↑ "Contract Update | Five Players Put Pen To Paper". Munster Rugby. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        39. 1 2 3 "Six Players Commit To Munster". Munster Rugby. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        40. 1 2 3 "Munster Sign De Allende, Gallagher And Snyman". Munster Rugby. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        41. ↑ "Squad Update | Sammy Arnold, Conor Oliver & Roman Salanoa". Munster Rugby. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        42. ↑ "Diarmuid Barron Promoted From Academy To Senior Squad". Munster Rugby. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        43. ↑ "Player News". Munster Rugby. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
        44. ↑ "Squad Update | Benetton Preparations". Munster Rugby. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
        45. ↑ "Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Benetton Away". Munster Rugby. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
        46. ↑ "Arno Botha Departing For Blue Bulls". Munster Rugby. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        47. 1 2 "Connacht announce signings of four players ahead of 2020/21 season". Connacht Rugby. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
        48. 1 2 "Championship side Jersey confirm signings of outgoing Munster pair". The42. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
        49. ↑ "Irish lock O'Shea signs for French Pro D2 club after leaving Munster". The42. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
        50. ↑ "Darren Sweetnam set for move to La Rochelle". Irish Examiner. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
        51. ↑ "Scrum-half Stafford joins Premiership club Harlequins after leaving Munster". The42. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
        52. ↑ Competition Rule 3.1.4 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
        53. ↑ "Fixture Update | Benetton v Munster Postponed". Munster Rugby. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
        54. ↑ "Munster v Leinster Postponed". Munster Rugby. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
        55. ↑ Competition Rule 3.1.4 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
        56. ↑ "Pool Tables". Heineken Champions Cup. EPCR. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
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