Munster v Hollywoodbets Sharks preview

Jack O’Donoghue captains Munster from the back row as they begin the defence of their BKT URC title by taking on the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Limerick.

Their forwards coach Andy Kyriacou commented: “We want to start well and it starts against the Sharks at Thomond Park. We know what a challenge the season is, having gone through it last year.

“We are just looking forward to getting going again, having finished as strongly as we did.”

Starting Sharks flanker Phepsi Buthelezi made more carries (111) and more tackles (115) than any other player for the Durban-based outfit in the URC last season. He also beat 22 defenders, more than any other forward in his squad.

• Defending BKT United Rugby Championship Champions Munster Rugby have lost just one of their last eleven fixtures in the Championship: 26-38 to Glasgow at Thomond Park last March. That loss was in their most recent URC game in Limerick, they have not lost successive matches at the venue since 2015. 
• Munster have not been beaten by a South African opponent in the URC since their visit to Emirates Lions in March 2022. 
• Sharks have won just one of their last six Vodacom URC matches: 43-33 at home to Benetton in April. They have won just once outside of South Africa in the Championship since October 2022, beating Edinburgh at Hive Stadium in January. 
• Sharks only previous victories against Irish provinces in the URC were both in Durban in April 2022 against Leinster and Connacht. 
• Sharks head coach, John Plumtree, takes charge of his first URC game since he was at Swansea in September 2001. 
• The two sides have met on three prior occasions, Munster winning in the URC in Limerick in September 2021 and then two meetings in Durban in April 2023 ended with a Sharks victory in the Champions Cup and a 22-all draw in the Championship.