URC LIVE scores: Munster vs Sharks

The Sharks face Irish side Munster at their home base Thomond Park on Saturday in possibly the toughest opening fixture they could have had.

Last season the Sharks faced Munster at Kings Park twice, walloping them in the Champions Cup before battling to a contentious draw in their second URC meeting.

Munster won their first meeting at Thomond Park in September 2021.

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Munster vs Sharks: LIVE scores

According to attack coach Dave Williams, the team makeup and coaching represent both consistency and an injection of fresh ideas, which they will try to display from the start.

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“With John Plumtree coming in, it’s been about formulating a new Sharks way of doing things, with a massive focus on and off the field.

“Target-wise, it’s about us wanting to portray what The Sharks want to be about, so when people watch us – whether it’s at the stadium or elsewhere – they’re going to see a team that’s got ambition and plays with relentless intensity.

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“Winning competitive moments in the game is massive, but in that, we want to display the new way of what this brand is all about.

“It’s at this time when the group looks at its senior, experienced players for leadership, as the flow of the game goes on, having those guys in the mix and giving their feedback is something we can tap into as a group.”

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Teams

Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (captain), 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 George Cronje, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Emile van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Aphelele Fassi

Munster: 15 Shane Daly; 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Calvin Nash; 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Ethan Coughlan; 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Josh Wycherley
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Brian Gleeson, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Shay McCarthy.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Erskine (Ireland) & Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)