It was a weekend to remember for Irish rugby fans, as both Ulster and Munster delivered emphatic performances in the United Rugby Championship on October 18, 2025. With Ulster notching a thrilling 34-26 win over the Sharks in Durban and Munster overpowering Leinster 31-14 at Croke Park, the Irish provinces have sent a clear message to the rest of the league: they’re here to compete, and they mean business.
Let’s start in Durban, where Ulster head coach Richie Murphy described his side’s victory as “a big statement win.” And it truly was. Despite facing a Sharks lineup bolstered by five Springboks, Ulster managed to maintain their flawless start to the URC season, making it three wins out of three matches. Murphy, clearly delighted, told reporters, “We’re delighted to come over here and win and pick up five points. It’s a really big statement win for us, especially against the quality of the Sharks side that they had on the pitch.”
Ulster’s journey to this point has been nothing short of impressive. After finishing 14th last season, the Irish province has turned things around in dramatic fashion. Their campaign began with home wins over the Dragons and Bulls, and the Durban triumph marks their third consecutive victory in the league, not to mention a pre-season win that has set the tone for the squad. “It feels like we’re going in the right direction. We’ve played four games this season, including one pre-season, and won all four. We haven’t done that in a very long time,” Murphy reflected.
The Sharks, on the other hand, remain winless, and their frustrations were compounded by costly indiscipline. Both Vincent Koch and Mapimpi received yellow cards for dangerous lifting tackles on Michael Lowry, with Mapimpi’s sanction upgraded to a 20-minute red card following a bunker review. Those moments proved pivotal, as Ulster capitalized on the numerical advantage and struck with clinical precision.
“Our set-piece wasn’t going to plan but we stayed in the fight and off turnover ball we were very dangerous. So really happy with the way we transitioned and caused the Sharks a lot of trouble,” Murphy explained. Indeed, Ulster’s ability to adapt was on full display, with Michael Lowry, Werner Kok, Tom Stewart, and Callum Reid all crossing the try line. Nathan Doak, ever reliable, contributed 14 points with the boot, ensuring Ulster’s lead was never seriously threatened.
What’s perhaps most impressive is the blend of youth and experience in this Ulster side. “We’ve a mix of a couple of older guys and some very young players and the experience for those guys today is going to be huge,” Murphy emphasized. The team’s commitment, both to each other and to the jersey, has been palpable. “I think you can see how much the players want to play for each other and the commitment they have to Ulster, which is huge.”
There’s no resting on laurels, though. Murphy was quick to point out that improvement is still needed. “We’ll keep pointing them in the right direction. There are loads of things from a coaching point of view that we feel we can still go after in order to get better, but very happy with how we’re progressing at this stage.” With the Lions up next on October 25 before the international break, Ulster will look to keep the momentum rolling.
Meanwhile, back in Dublin, Munster were making headlines of their own, silencing the Leinster faithful at Croke Park with a dominant 31-14 victory. The red wave swept through the capital, leaving little doubt about which side was superior on the day. Clayton McMillan’s Munster outfit brought intensity, accuracy, and a dash of swagger, bossing the breakdown and dominating collisions from the opening whistle.
Jack Crowley and Tom Farrell were the stars of the show, each earning a stellar 8.5 rating for their efforts. Farrell, in particular, was in sensational form, taking his first try with ease and nearly bagging a second, only for replays to deny him. “Another stormer from the excellent Farrell, taking his first try like the proverbial candy from a baby,” read one glowing review. Crowley, meanwhile, outplayed his opposite number Sam Prendergast, pulling the strings for Munster and showcasing a kicking game that had the crowd buzzing.
The supporting cast was just as impressive. Dan Kelly, already hailed as Munster’s signing of the season, earned an 8 for his all-around display. Thaakir Abrahams was electric on the wing, causing headaches for Leinster defenders every time he touched the ball. Tadhg Beirne, after a quiet opening, shifted into wrecking-ball mode in the second half, making his presence felt with an 8.5 performance.
Brian Gleeson’s efforts were also noteworthy, as he dragged Munster back into the contest with the away side’s first try before an injury cut his afternoon short. The bench made its mark too, with Jean Kleyn delivering a massive hit on 60 minutes and Gavin Coombes playing a pivotal role after replacing Gleeson, his hold-up on van der Flier a momentum-shifting moment.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Munster, though. Andrew Smith tweaked his hamstring early and didn’t return, while the scrum faced pressure at times. Still, the collective effort and tactical acumen on display were enough to see off a Leinster side that struggled to match Munster’s ferocity and precision.
This result not only gives Munster bragging rights over their rivals but also serves as a warning shot to the rest of the URC. With standout performances across the board and a clear sense of purpose, McMillan’s men look ready to challenge for honors this season.
As for Leinster, it’s back to the drawing board. Outclassed in most facets of the game, they’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to keep pace in what’s shaping up to be a fiercely competitive league campaign.
Looking ahead, both Ulster and Munster have plenty to play for. Ulster’s next test comes against the Lions, while Munster will be eager to build on this momentum as the season progresses. The early signs are promising for Irish rugby, with both provinces firing on all cylinders and their supporters daring to dream of silverware.
With the United Rugby Championship season still young, there’s everything to play for. But one thing’s for sure: after a weekend like this, the rest of the league has been put on notice. The Irish provinces are back, and they’re making every minute count.
