Munster weather the Stormers in decider
MUNSTER captain Peter O’Mahony hailed his team’s “incredible resilience” after they won the United Rugby Championship title following a 19-14 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.
It was Munster’s first major trophy for 12 years and came after defeats in the 2015, 2017 and 2021 finals.
Flanker John Hodnett’s try five minutes from time - converted from the touchline by fly-half Jack Crowley - denied the Stormers back-to-back URC crowns.
“We performed well in the first half, and we probably should have been a couple more scores up, but credit the Stormers - their defence was excellent,” O’Mahony told URC TV. “We showed incredible resilience and skills to score a well-worked try with five minutes to go. It was a tough surface and tough conditions with a wet ball.
“We went behind but we stuck to our guns. We got back into it and the last five minutes were class.”
Try-scorer Hodnett added: “It is some win for us. It’s massive, a whole year of work, and it is unbelievable to win it and say we are champions. We kept going and never gave up. It’s huge for us and hasn’t at all sunk in.”
It was Munster’s fifth successive away game in the competition as they followed respective quarterfinal and semi-final victories over Glasgow and Leinster with another inspired performance.
Flanker Deon Fourie’s try early in the second half, converted by Manie Libbok, looked to have swayed an intense and ferociously-committed encounter Stormers’ way before Hodnett pounced.
Fly-half Libbok scored a interception try he also converted but Munster led by five points at the break following touchdowns from hooker Diarmuid Barron and wing Calvin Nash while Crowley converted Nash’s score.
Munster head coach Graham Rowntree said: “We needed to show huge character. What a team this Stormers team is. We had to be good and we played well in the first half.
“We stuck in there, we showed good fight and I am immensely proud of the players. We’ve been to some tough places on the road recently and showed character.
“The momentum that gave us, going away from home, winning games, it’s exactly what you need to win a game like this one and we did it.”
England World Cup winner Vicky Fleetwood has confirmed that she will retire at the end of this season. The loose forward made her Roses debut in 2011 in their 15-11 defeat to the USA and has earned 82 caps for England, winning five Six Nations titles.
She was part of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad and played six times during the tournament, including the final as England beat Canada 21-9.
Fleetwood also played in the 2017 tournament then swapped to join England Sevens, where she won bronze in the 2018 Commonwealth Games before returning to 15-a-side rugby. Since joining Saracens in 2014 she is also a twotime Premier 15s title winner with the club.
“My rugby career has been an incredible journey and has given me memories that will last forever,” Fleetwood told the England Rugby website. “Being part of the Red Roses is something special and I’m proud that I got to wear the white shirt on so many occasions.
“Rugby’s given me so much to be thankful for, and I’ve met some amazing people along the way.
“Although it’s time to step away from playing, I will continue to stay in the game through my coaching - something I am very passionate about.”