Munster shocked by Glasgow Warriors in URC semi-final

Glasgow Warriors upset the odds by beating reigning champions Munster 17-10 at their fortress of Thomond Park to reach their first BKT United Rugby Championship final since 2019.

The Warriors face the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria next Saturday, having boxed smartly after losing two players to sin and taking advantage of limited scoring opportunities to stun a Munster side on a 10-game winning streak.

Warriors captain Kyle Steyn’s opportunistic try in the 23rd minute came as teammate Richie Gray was in the trash while Matt Fagerson also saw yellow, but the visitors still led 7-3 at half-time, the Munster’s response coming from a single penalty from Jack Crowley.

Despite 63 per cent possession and 71 per cent territory in the first half, a try eluded the Irish province and they fell further behind when Sebastian Cancelliere pounced in the 50th minute to make the score at 14-3.

Antoine Frisch pulled back seven points with a converted try, but the hosts showed Alex Nankivell a red card and George Horne’s 74th-minute penalty proved enough for the Scottish side.

Following an early miss from Crowley off the tee, a break from Sione Tuipulotu pushed Franco Smith’s men close for the opening score of the match.

Mike Haley came to Munster’s rescue, and when they advanced again after successive penalties, Gray’s yellow for offside preceded Crowley’s 11th-minute penalty as Munster drew first blood in the half. final.

Glasgow hit back, however, when, after the ball got loose between Frisch and Nankivell, Steyn dived to score from halfway and Horne converted.