Date: Saturday, 29 March 2025
Kick-Off: 14:30
Venue: Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Historic Day in Castlebar as Connacht Host Munster at MacHale Park

MacHale Park will become the 56th venue to host a United Rugby Championship fixture as Connacht and Munster collide in Round 14. The first professional rugby match ever played at the iconic Mayo GAA ground is set to attract Connacht’s largest-ever home crowd.

Form Guide and URC Picture

Connacht have won two of their last three matches — beating Cardiff and Benetton — and came close to making it three in a row before falling 43–40 to Ospreys. They’re 12th on 31 points, with a top-eight finish unlikely, but a Challenge Cup campaign lies ahead with the prospect of three home games to reach the final.

Munster are sixth on 34 points but reeling from back-to-back losses to Edinburgh and Glasgow. They’ve won twice away from home this season (Ulster and Dragons) and haven’t won in Galway since 2021.

Key Stats

• MacHale Park is the 56th URC venue.
• Connacht have won 2 of their last 7 matches — both at home.
• They’ve lost 7 straight against Irish provinces.
• Munster’s only away wins this season came at Ulster and Dragons.
• The last 7 meetings have all been won by the home team on the day.
• Munster last won in Galway in January 2021.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Connacht are expected to welcome back their Irish internationals — Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen, Cian Prendergast, and Finlay Bealham — while in-form winger Finn Tracey retains his place. Ben Murphy is ruled out through injury.

Connacht Predicted XV:

• 1. Denis Buckley
• 2. Dave Heffernan
• 3. Finlay Bealham
• 4. Darragh Murray
• 5. Joe Joyce
• 6. Josh Murphy
• 7. Shamus Hurley-Langton
• 8. Cian Prendergast
• 9. Caolin Blade
• 10. Josh Ioane
• 11. Finn Tracey
• 12. Bundee Aki
• 13. Cathal Forde
• 14. Mack Hansen
• 15. Piers O’Conor

Munster Team News:

Munster could welcome back several key players to their matchday 23:

• Tadhg Beirne
• Jack Crowley
• Conor Murray
• Calvin Nash
• Peter O’Mahony
• Craig Casey
• Jean Kleyn
• Jack O’Donoghue
• Thaakir Abrahams

Oli Jager is also due to return to training this week after missing the defeat to Glasgow. Meanwhile, the fitness of Niall Scannell and Billy Burns (both shoulder) will be assessed closer to the weekend.

Munster Injury List:

• Shane Daly – hamstring
• Diarmuid Kilgallen – thigh
• Mike Haley – ankle
• Dave Kilcoyne – thigh
• Liam Coombes – chest
• Edwin Edogbo – Achilles
• Roman Salanoa – knee

What’s at Stake

Connacht are eyeing a strong finish in the URC and a major run in the Challenge Cup. With a record crowd and returning stars, they’ll be fired up for a statement win.

Munster need a response. A third straight loss could push them out of the top eight with pressure mounting. A full-strength squad could make all the difference.

Prediction

Connacht 26–20 Munster
Home advantage, form momentum, and returning Ireland stars could see Connacht edge what’s set to be a thrilling encounter.

#CONvMUN #URC #IrishRugby
vs | |

The post Connacht v Munster Preview – Predicted Teams, Kick-Off Time, Key Stats | URC Round 14 at MacHale Park appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

With the United Rugby Championship (URC) heading into the crucial final rounds, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Based on the latest standings and predicted results, we’ve forecasted the final league table and the quarter-final matchups. Here’s how the standings could look at the end of the regular season.

Predicted Final URC Table

Predicted URC Quarter-Finals

(1) Leinster vs (8) Munster

An all-Irish clash in the quarter-finals would be a blockbuster tie. Leinster, currently unbeaten, look set to finish as the top seed. Munster, sneaking into eighth, will face a huge challenge in Dublin. The 2023 champions will need a massive performance to upset their fierce rivals.

(2) Sharks vs (7) Edinburgh

The Sharks’ surge in form is expected to secure them the second seed, and they will welcome Edinburgh to South Africa. The Scottish side will need to be at their absolute best to take down a Sharks team filled with Springbok talent.

(3) Bulls vs (6) Lions

A fierce South African derby, this fixture would be an intense battle between two physical sides. The Bulls’ set-piece dominance could be a crucial factor, while the Lions will look to play an expansive game to keep their playoff hopes alive.

(4) Glasgow Warriors vs (5) Stormers

This clash between the Scottish and South African powerhouses promises fireworks. Glasgow’s home advantage will be key, but the Stormers are a dangerous side in the knockout stages. Expect a fast-paced, high-quality encounter.

Who Misses Out?

Connacht, currently eighth, are projected to drop out of the playoff places due to strong finishes from Edinburgh and the South African teams. Ospreys, Scarlets, and Benetton will also fall just short despite some promising performances. Ulster’s struggles continue, and they too are expected to miss out.

Final Thoughts

If these predictions hold, the URC quarter-finals will feature a thrilling mix of Irish, Scottish, and South African teams. Leinster will be the clear favourites, but with three South African teams in the top eight, the title could be heading back to the Southern Hemisphere. Glasgow and Munster will look to prove they can challenge for silverware, while Edinburgh will aim to cause an upset.

With so many heavyweight clashes on the horizon, the URC playoffs promise to be one of the most exciting in years. Buckle up for a thrilling end to the season!

Predicted URC Quarter-Finals: Who Makes the Top Eight?

With the United Rugby Championship (URC) heading into the crucial final rounds, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Based on the latest standings and predicted results, we’ve forecasted the final league table and the quarter-final matchups. Here’s how the standings could look at the end of the regular season.

Predicted Final URC Table

Predicted URC Quarter-Finals

(1) Leinster vs (8) Munster

An all-Irish clash in the quarter-finals would be a blockbuster tie. Leinster, currently unbeaten, look set to finish as the top seed. Munster, sneaking into eighth, will face a huge challenge in Dublin. The 2023 champions will need a massive performance to upset their fierce rivals.

(2) Sharks vs (7) Edinburgh

The Sharks’ surge in form is expected to secure them the second seed, and they will welcome Edinburgh to South Africa. The Scottish side will need to be at their absolute best to take down a Sharks team filled with Springbok talent.

(3) Bulls vs (6) Lions

A fierce South African derby, this fixture would be an intense battle between two physical sides. The Bulls’ set-piece dominance could be a crucial factor, while the Lions will look to play an expansive game to keep their playoff hopes alive.

(4) Glasgow Warriors vs (5) Stormers

This clash between the Scottish and South African powerhouses promises fireworks. Glasgow’s home advantage will be key, but the Stormers are a dangerous side in the knockout stages. Expect a fast-paced, high-quality encounter.

Who Misses Out?

Connacht, currently eighth, are projected to drop out of the playoff places due to strong finishes from Edinburgh and the South African teams. Ospreys, Scarlets, and Benetton will also fall just short despite some promising performances. Ulster’s struggles continue, and they too are expected to miss out.

Final Thoughts

If these predictions hold, the URC quarter-finals will feature a thrilling mix of Irish, Scottish, and South African teams. Leinster will be the clear favourites, but with three South African teams in the top eight, the title could be heading back to the Southern Hemisphere. Glasgow and Munster will look to prove they can challenge for silverware, while Edinburgh will aim to cause an upset.

With so many heavyweight clashes on the horizon, the URC playoffs promise to be one of the most exciting in years. Buckle up for a thrilling end to the season!

The post Predicted URC Quarter-Finals: Who Makes the Top Eight? appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.