The 2014–15 Munster Rugby season was Munster's fourteenth season competing in the Pro12, alongside which they also competed in the new European Rugby Champions Cup. It was Anthony Foley's first season as head coach.
Events On 27 August a document detailing players individual strengths and weaknesses was leaked. The email intended only for the management team was accidentally sent to every player in the Munster squad. Players were notified within an hour that the email had been sent to them through human error. Anthony Foley speaking on 3 September said that it is unfortunate that the document was leaked saying "It will never, ever happen again. It's unfortunate that it's out in the public domain, something that we do behind closed doors to make us better."
Upgrades to Thomond Park were completed in time for the new season kick off on 5 September against Edinburgh. The creation of a Fan Zone Plaza and introduction of a dedicated Bank of Ireland Family Fun Zone, and face-lift of the Guinness Dug Out bar were among the improvements and changes carried out at the ground. The new Fanzone Plaza was officially opened on 10 October before the match against the Scarlets.
The season kicked off on 5 September against Edinburgh at Thomond Park, a match that Munster lost 13–14. Munster secured their first win of the season, a 21–10 away win against Benetton Treviso on 12 September. The following week on 19 September, Simon Zebo scored a hat-trick of try's against Zebre at Thomond Park as Munser recorded their second win of the season on a 31–5 scoreline. On 27 September, Munster suffered a second defeat at home in three games when the Ospreys won 19–14. On 4 October, Munster beat Leinster in Dublin for the first time since 2008 with a 34–23 win at the Aviva Stadium. First half try's from James Cronin, Robin Copeland, and an interception try from Ian Keatley gave Munster a 28–9 lead at half time. Munster received four yellow cards in the second half.
On 18 October in their first game in the new European Rugby Champions Cup against Sale Sharks, Munster came back from 23–7 down at half-time to win the game 27–26 with a last kick drop-goal from Ian Keatley. On 24 October in their first home game in the European Rugby Champions Cup, Munster defeated Saracens 14–3 to continue their winning start to the European campaign.
On 6 December in their second home game in the European Rugby Champions Cup, Munster lost 16–9 to Clermont Auvergne, with Clermont becoming the first French team to win a European game at Thomond Park. The loss was the third defeat in 53 European games for Munster on their home ground. Eight days later on 14 December, Munster lost the away game against Clermont by 26–19. Ian Keatley's two penalties gave Munster an early lead but two tries from Clermont gave them a 15-6 half-time lead. Clermont scored another try in the second half but Munster gained a losing bonus point with a try from Duncan Casey and a late Ian Keatley penalty.
On 17 January, Munster lost 33–10 to Saracens in their second last game in the pool stage, a defeat that meant that they would not qualify for the quarter-finals, only the second time that has happened in seventeen seasons. Saracens had a 23–3 lead at half-time after a disappointing display from Munster. It is the first time in history that Munster have lost three pool games in succession.
In their final pool game of the European Rugby Champions Cup against Sale Sharks on 25 January at Thomond Park, Munster won by 65–10. Munster scored nine tries in total, eight came in a second half during which they scored 52 points without reply. Munster ended the pool stage with three wins from six games, finishing third behind Clermont and Saracens who both made the last eight.
On 16 May, Munster had a bonus-point 50–27 win against the Newport Gwent Dragons, scoring eight tries which booked a home semi-final against the Ospreys in the Pro12 on 23 May.
On 23 May, Munster defeated the Ospreys by 21–18 to reach the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final on 30 May at the Kingspan Stadium. Josh Matavesi looked to have won it for the Ospreys with an injury-time try, but it was ruled out after Rhys Webb had knocked on earlier in the move.
The game was Paul O'Connell's last game for Munster at Thomond Park. Munster went on to lose the final to Glasgow on a 31–13 scoreline.
Coaching and management staff 2014–15 Position Name Nationality Head coach Anthony Foley Team manager Niall O'Donovan Scrum Coach Jerry Flannery Backs Coach Brian Walsh Assistant coach Ian Costello Technical Advisor Mick O'Driscoll Head of Fitness Adam Trypas Strength & conditioning coach Aidan O'Connell Conditioning Assistant Will Douglas Head of physiotherapy Anthony Coole Physiotherapist Colm Fuller Rehab physiotherapist Colm Oakley Performance analyst George Murray Asst. Performance Analyst Elliot Corcoran Kit manager Jack Kiely Operations manager Bryan Murphy
Senior Playing Squad 2014–15
Internationally capped players in bold.
Players In Eusebio Guiñazú from Bath Martin Kelly from Dublin University Shane Buckley promoted from Academy Robin Copeland from Cardiff Blues Jonathan Holland promoted from Academy Tyler Bleyendaal from Crusaders Andrew Smith from Brumbies
Players Out James Coughlan to Pau Ian Nagle released Niall Ronan retired James Downey to Glasgow Warriors Casey Laulala to Racing Métro Quentin MacDonald to
2014–15 Pro12
Play-offs
Semi-final
Final
FB 15 Felix JonesRW 14 Keith EarlsOC 13 Andrew SmithIC 12 Denis Hurley (c)LW 11 Simon Zebo FH 10 Ian Keatley SH 9 Duncan Williams N8 8 CJ StanderOF 7 Paddy Butler BF 6 Donnacha RyanRL 5 Paul O'ConnellLL 4 Billy Holland TP 3 BJ Botha HK 2 Eusebio Guiñazú LP 1 Dave Kilcoyne Replacements:HK 16 Duncan Casey PR 17 James Cronin PR 18 Stephen Archer FL 19 Sean Dougall N8 20 Jack O'Donoghue SH 21 Cathal Sheridan FH 22 JJ Hanrahan WG 23 Ronan O'Mahony Coach: Anthony Foley FB 15 Stuart Hogg RW 14 Tommy SeymourOC 13 Richie VernonIC 12 Peter HorneLW 11 D. T. H. van der Merwe FH 10 Finn Russell SH 9 Henry PyrgosN8 8 Josh Strauss (c)OF 7 Ryan WilsonBF 6 Rob Harley RL 5 Jonny GrayLL 4 Leone Nakarawa TP 3 Rossouw de Klerk HK 2 Dougie Hall LP 1 Gordon Reid Replacements:HK 16 Fraser Brown PR 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa PR 18 Jon Welsh LK 19 Alastair Kellock FL 20 Chris Fusaro SH 21 Nikola Matawalu FH 22 Duncan Weir WG 23 Sean Lamont Coach: Gregor Townsend Man of the Match: Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow Warriors)
Touch judges: Ian Davies (WRU) Sean Brickell (WRU) Television match official: Derek Bevan (WRU)
2014–15 European Rugby Champions Cup
Pool 1
References
External links 2014–15 Munster Rugby season at official site 2014–15 Munster Rugby season at Pro12