Munster win URC final to end 12-year trophy drought

Munster won their first major trophy for 12 years by landing the United Rugby Championship title following an absorbing 19-14 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.

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.

It was Munster’s fifth successive away game in the competition as they turned around their fortunes following final defeats in 2015, 2017 and 2021.

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 Jack Crowley added one conversion.

Both sides had their chances in a game where there was so little between the teams, yet ultimately Munster had enough in the tank to deliver silverware for their 2,000 travelling fans and confirm the impact head coach Graham Rowntree has made.

South Africa internationals Fourie and Marvin Orie returned to the Stormers line-up after recovering from injury for a 55,000 sell-out encounter at DHL Stadium.

Rowntree, meanwhile, made three changes from the side that defeated semi-final opponents Leinster, with Nash, centre Malakai Fekitoa and scrum-half Conor Murray all returning after completing return-to-play protocols following the quarter-finals.

Stormers struck an opening blow after just six minutes and Munster only had themselves to blame.

Early momentum was undone when centre Antoine Frisch’s wildly-speculative pass from just inside his own half went to straight to