Munster Secures United Rugby Play-Offs with 38-20 Win over Ulster

Munster secured a crucial 38-20 bonus-point victory over Ulster at Thomond Park, effectively ending Ulster's hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs and next season's Champions Cup. Munster scored six tries, including two from Tom Farrell, while Ulster managed only two and failed to score in the second half for the second consecutive week. Ulster started strong and led midway through the first half but were hampered by two yellow cards, including Stuart McCloskey's sin-binning, which allowed Munster to pull away decisively. The win lifted Munster to fifth place, keeping their play-off destiny in their own hands ahead of their final game against Benetton, while Ulster remained 12th, five points outside the top eight. The match also marked a likely final Thomond Park appearance for Munster veterans Conor Murray, Stephen Archer, and Peter O'Mahony, who scored one of Munster's tries. Despite Ulster coach Richie Murphy calling this his strongest squad since March 2024 and the return of key player Iain Henderson, Ulster's discipline issues and inability to score after halftime sealed their fate.