2011–12 Munster Rugby season

2011–12 Munster Rugby season
Ground(s)Thomond Park (Capacity: 26,500)
Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,500)
Coach(es)Tony McGahan
Captain(s)Paul O'Connell
League(s)Pro12
2011–123rd, semi-finals
← 2010–11 2012–13 →

The 2011–12 Munster Rugby season was Munster's eleventh season competing in the Pro12, alongside which they also competed in the Heineken Cup. It was Tony McGahan's fourth and final season as Director of Rugby.

Summary

Munster were drawn in Pool 1 of the 2011–12 Heineken Cup alongside Scarlets, Northampton Saints and Castres.[1] Munster defeated Northampton 23–21 in their opening pool fixture on 12 November 2011, thanks to an 84th minute drop-goal from Ronan O'Gara.[2] One week later, away from home against Castres, a last-gasp drop-goal from O'Gara again handed victory to Munster, this time 27–24.[3] In the December double-header against Scarlets, Munster emerged victorious from both fixtures, firstly defeating the Welsh side 17–14 in the away leg, before winning 19–13 at home.[4][5] In Round 5, Munster beat Castres 26–10 at Thomond Park to become the first side to qualify for the quarter-finals.[6] A 51–36 win away from home against Northampton in the sixth and final round, including a hat-trick from Simon Zebo, secured a home quarter-final for Munster.[7] However, in the quarter-final, Munster were beaten 22–16 at home by provincial rivals Ulster, ending their Heineken Cup campaign for the 2011–12 season.[8]

In the 2011–12 Pro12, Munster finished third with 67 points, in a season that included 14 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats after 22 regular matches. In the play-offs, Munster lost 45–10 away to eventual champions Ospreys,[9] in a match that was Tony McGahan's final as Munster head coach.[10] New Zealander Rob Penney was subsequently confirmed as Munster's new head coach.[11]

2011–12 Playing Squad

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Jerry Flannery Hooker Ireland Ireland
Seán Henry Hooker Ireland Ireland
Mike Sherry Hooker Ireland Ireland
Damien Varley Hooker Ireland Ireland
Stephen Archer Prop Ireland Ireland
Peter Borlase Prop New Zealand New Zealand
BJ Botha Prop South Africa South Africa
John Hayes Prop Ireland Ireland
Marcus Horan Prop Ireland Ireland
Wian du Preez Prop South Africa South Africa
John Ryan Prop Ireland Ireland
Dave Foley Lock Ireland Ireland
Ian Nagle Lock Ireland Ireland
Donncha O'Callaghan Lock Ireland Ireland
Paul O'Connell (c) Lock Ireland Ireland
Mick O'Driscoll Lock Ireland Ireland
Donnacha Ryan Lock Ireland Ireland
Billy Holland Flanker Ireland Ireland
Tommy O'Donnell Flanker Ireland Ireland
Peter O'Mahony Flanker Ireland Ireland
Niall Ronan Flanker Ireland Ireland
David Wallace Flanker Ireland Ireland
Paddy Butler Number 8 Ireland Ireland
James Coughlan Number 8 Ireland Ireland
Denis Leamy Number 8 Ireland Ireland
Player Position Union
Conor Murray Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Tomás O'Leary Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Peter Stringer Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Duncan Williams Scrum-half Ireland Ireland
Declan Cusack Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Scott Deasy Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Ian Keatley Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Ronan O'Gara Fly-half Ireland Ireland
Danny Barnes Centre Ireland Ireland
Will Chambers Centre Australia Australia
Ivan Dineen Centre Ireland Ireland
Tom Gleeson Centre Ireland Ireland
Lifeimi Mafi Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Savenaca Tokula Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Keith Earls Wing Ireland Ireland
Doug Howlett Wing New Zealand New Zealand
Johne Murphy Wing Ireland Ireland
Simon Zebo Wing Ireland Ireland
Denis Hurley Fullback Ireland Ireland
Felix Jones Fullback Ireland Ireland
Seán Scanlon Fullback Ireland Ireland

Pre-season

12 August 2011
19:30
La Rochelle France19–14Ireland Munster
Report[12]
Stade Marcel-Deflandre
Attendance: 11,000
19 August 2011
19:00
Munster Ireland0–15England Wasps
Report[13]
Musgrave Park
26 August 2011
19:00
Munster Ireland11–10England London Irish
Report[14]
Thomond Park

2011–12 Pro12

Main article: 2011–12 Pro12
Pro12 Table
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification[a]
1 Ireland Leinster (F) 22 18 1 3 568 326 +242 48 28 5 2 81 Play-off place
2 Wales Ospreys (C) 22 16 1 5 491 337 +154 44 22 2 3 71
3 Ireland Munster (SF) 22 14 1 7 489 367 +122 45 27 5 4 67
4 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (SF) 22 13 4 5 445 321 +124 34 23 2 3 65
5 Wales Scarlets 22 12 2 8 446 373 +73 43 30 5 5 62
6 Ireland Ulster 22 12 0 10 474 424 +50 53 41 5 3 56
7 Wales Cardiff Blues 22 10 0 12 446 460 −14 43 45 5 5 50
8 Ireland Connacht 22 7 1 14 321 433 −112 27 36 0 7 37
9 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 22 7 1 14 370 474 −104 27 41 1 5 36
10 Italy Benetton Treviso 22 7 0 15 419 558 −139 41 57 3 5 36
11 Scotland Edinburgh 22 6 1 15 454 588 −134 42 65 2 4 32
12 Italy Aironi 22 4 0 18 289 551 −262 22 54 1 5 22
Updated to match(es) played on 5 May 2012. Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[15]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
    (C) Champions; (F) Lost in the final; (SF) Lost in the semi-finals
    Notes:
  1. ^ Qualification for the Heineken Cup is based on each country's allocation, i.e. three highest-ranked Irish teams, three highest-ranked Welsh teams, both Italian teams and both Scottish teams. Because Leinster won the 2012 Heineken Cup Final, Ireland earned an extra Heineken Cup place, which will go to Connacht. Aironi were denied a licence for the 2012–13 season due to financial issues; the newly established Zebre side replaced Aironi in the Pro12 and Heineken Cup.
3 September 2011
19:45
Munster Ireland20–12Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report[16]
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 7,252
Referee: Stefano Penne
9 September 2011
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland12–23Ireland Munster
Report[17]
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,914
17 September 2011
19:45
Munster Ireland35–12Wales Scarlets
Report[18]
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 7,648
Referee: Andy Macpherson
23 September 2011
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales13–18Ireland Munster
Report[19]
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 5,466
30 September 2011
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland29–14Ireland Munster
Report[20]
Murrayfield
Attendance: 3,467
8 October 2011
19:30
Munster Ireland13–17Wales Ospreys
Report[21]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 16,599
Referee: James Jones
28 October 2011
20:30
Munster Ireland18–6Italy Aironi
Report[22]
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,742
Referee: Peter Allan
4 November 2011
20:00
Leinster Ireland24–19Ireland Munster
Report[23]
Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 48,365
26 November 2011
20:30
Munster Ireland34–17Scotland Edinburgh
Report[24]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 18,200
3 December 2011
18:30
Ospreys Wales19–13Ireland Munster
Report[25]
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,783
Referee: Peter Allan
26 December 2011
19:45
Munster Ireland24–9Ireland Connacht
Report[26]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 21,030
30 December 2011
19:05
Ulster Ireland33–17Ireland Munster
Report[27]
Ravenhill
Attendance: 11,379
7 January 2012
20:15
Munster Ireland29–11Italy Treviso
Report[28]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 16,816
Referee: Nigel Owens
18 February 2012
16:15
Treviso Italy14–35Ireland Munster
Report[29]
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 4,200
24 February 2012
19:05
Munster Ireland16–13Wales Cardiff Blues
Report[30]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 19,545
3 March 2012
18:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales14–24Ireland Munster
Report[31]
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,129
Referee: Carlo Damasco
11 March 2012
15:00
Aironi Italy21–17Ireland Munster
Report[32]
Stadio Luigi Zaffanella
Attendance: 3,000
24 March 2012
19:45
Connacht Ireland16–20Ireland Munster
Report[33]
Galway Sportsgrounds
31 March 2012
19:30
Munster Ireland9–18Ireland Leinster
Report[34]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 26,500
Referee: Nigel Owens
14 April 2012
19:15
Munster Ireland35–29Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report[35]
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 7,942
Referee: Nigel Owens
21 April 2012
18:30
Scarlets Wales20–20Ireland Munster
Report[36]
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 10,741
Referee: Alain Rolland
5 May 2012
19:30
Munster Ireland36–8Ireland Ulster
Report[37]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 19,362
Referee: Alain Rolland

Play-offs

Semi-final

11 May 2012
19:35
Ospreys Wales45–10Ireland Munster
Report[38]
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 10,026
Referee: Alain Rolland

2011–12 Heineken Cup

Main article: 2011–12 Heineken Cup

Pool 1

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff TB LB Pts
Ireland Munster 6 6 0 0 14 10 +4 163 118 +45 1 0 25
Wales Scarlets 6 3 0 3 12 9 +3 119 124 −5 1 2 15
England Northampton Saints 6 2 0 4 18 16 +2 176 160 +16 2 2 12
France Castres 6 1 0 5 10 19 −9 111 167 −56 1 2 7
12 November 2011
Munster Ireland23–21England Northampton Saints
Report[39]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 25,600
Referee: Nigel Owens
19 November 2011
Castres France24–27Ireland Munster
Report[40]
Stade Ernest-Wallon
Attendance: 13,500
Referee: Wayne Barnes
10 December 2011
Scarlets Wales14–17Ireland Munster
Report[41]
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 13,183
Referee: Romain Poite
18 December 2011
Munster Ireland19–13Wales Scarlets
Report[42]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 25,600
Referee: Dave Pearson
14 January 2012
Munster Ireland26–10France Castres
Report[43]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 25,600
Referee: A. Small
21 January 2012
Northampton Saints England36–51Ireland Munster
Report[44]
Stadium MK
Attendance: 22,220
Referee: Romain Poite

Quarter-final

8 April 2012
Munster Ireland16–22Ireland Ulster
Report[45]
Thomond Park
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Romain Poite

References

  1. ^ "Heineken Cup Pool Draw". Munster Rugby. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Cometh the Moment, Cometh The Men". Munster Rugby. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Same Again Thanks Rog". Munster Rugby. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Set-Piece & Defence Gives Munster The Edge". Munster Rugby. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Munster Complete The Scarlets Job". Munster Rugby. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Fifth Successive Wins Sees Munster Through". Munster Rugby. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Munster Close The Deal". Munster Rugby. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Munster Go Crashing Out". Munster Rugby. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  9. ^ "Ospreys Through To The Rabo Final". Munster Rugby. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Wallabies Confirm McGahan Appointment". Munster Rugby. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Penney Appointed". Munster Rugby. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  12. ^ "Munster Leave Themselves Too Much To Do". Munster Rugby. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Munster Held Scoreless In Musgrave Park". Munster Rugby. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Munster Overcome Irish". Munster Rugby. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  15. ^ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro12. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  16. ^ "First Half Sets Up Opening Round Victory". Munster Rugby. 4 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  17. ^ "12th On The Trot For Munster". Munster Rugby. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  18. ^ "12th On The Trot For Munster". Munster Rugby. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Defensive Display Keeps Munster Top". Munster Rugby. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  20. ^ "No Complaints About The Outcome". Munster Rugby. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  21. ^ "No Crumb Of Comfort In Losing Bonus". Munster Rugby. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Munster Master The Conditions". Munster Rugby. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  23. ^ "Too Little Too Late?". Munster Rugby. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Munster Impress". Munster Rugby. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Howlett The Real Loss". Munster Rugby. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  26. ^ "Youngster Impress As Oldster Departs". Munster Rugby. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Error Strewn Second Half Costs Munster". Munster Rugby. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Munster Back On Track". Munster Rugby. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Bonus Point Win For Munster in Treviso". Munster Rugby. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  30. ^ "Munster Edge It". Munster Rugby. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Munster End Their Rodney Parade Hoodoo". Munster Rugby. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  32. ^ "Munster Lose Out In Stadio Zaffanella". Munster Rugby. 11 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  33. ^ "Munster Keep Their Heads To Take The Points". Munster Rugby. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  34. ^ "Munster Way Off The Pace". Munster Rugby. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  35. ^ "Munster Bounce Back Impressively". Munster Rugby. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  36. ^ "Draw Sees Munster Through". Munster Rugby. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  37. ^ "Win For Munster". Munster Rugby. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  38. ^ "No Consolation Of Any Sort In This Result". Munster Rugby. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  39. ^ "Cometh the Moment, Cometh The Men". Munster Rugby. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  40. ^ "Same Again Thanks Rog". Munster Rugby. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  41. ^ "Set-Piece & Defence Gives Munster The Edge". Munster Rugby. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  42. ^ "Munster Complete The Scarlets Job". Munster Rugby. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  43. ^ "Fifth Successive Wins Sees Munster Through". Munster Rugby. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  44. ^ "Munster Close The Deal". Munster Rugby. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  45. ^ "Munster Go Crashing Out". Munster Rugby. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2018.