O'Shea stars on first start as Munster edge Bulls in Thomond thriller
Munster held off the Bulls 26-22 at Thomond Park in Limerick on Saturday to claim their first win of the new United Rugby Championship season, BBC Sport reported.
The teams were level at 14-14 at half-time. Munster edged the second half 12-8 to settle a tight Round 2 tie in the 2026-27 campaign.
The story of the afternoon was Charlie O'Shea. Handed his first senior competitive start for Munster, he scored two tries and kicked three conversions. A conversion is the kick at goal taken after a try for two extra points. He did not play like a debutant.
Munster's other tries came from Diarmuid Kilgallen and Alex Kendellen. Kendellen's score was important. It was Munster's fourth try, which earns a team an extra bonus point in the league table.
The Bulls, the South African visitors, stayed in the fight throughout. Their tries were scored by Ruan Vermaak, Francois Klopper and Jeandre Rudolph, while Curwin Bosch added two conversions and one penalty.
That kept the pressure on until the end. Munster needed solid defence in the closing stages to protect a four-point lead. The home crowd roared them through it.
What makes this stand out is the timing. Munster came into Round 2 still looking for a first victory. To get it at home, with a young starter leading the scoring, gives supporters something to hold on to.
For fans, this means momentum before a tough trip. Munster go away to Ulster next, while the Bulls return to Pretoria to face the Lions, BBC Sport reported.
