2011–12 Munster Rugby season

The 2011–12 Munster Rugby season was Munster's eleventh season competing in the Pro12, alongside which they also competed in the Heineken Cup. It was Tony McGahan's fourth and final season as Director of Rugby.

2011–12 Munster Rugby season

Ground(s)	Thomond Park (Capacity: 26,500) Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,500)
Coach(es)	Tony McGahan
Captain(s)	Paul O'Connell
League(s)	Pro12
2011–12	3rd, semi-finals
← 2010–11 2012–13 →

Summary

Munster were drawn in Pool 1 of the 2011–12 Heineken Cup alongside Scarlets, Northampton Saints and Castres.[1] Munster defeated Northampton 23–21 in their opening pool fixture on 12 November 2011, thanks to an 84th minute drop-goal from Ronan O'Gara.[2] One week later, away from home against Castres, a last-gasp drop-goal from O'Gara again handed victory to Munster, this time 27–24.[3] In the December double-header against Scarlets, Munster emerged victorious from both fixtures, firstly defeating the Welsh side 17–14 in the away leg, before winning 19–13 at home.[4][5] In Round 5, Munster beat Castres 26–10 at Thomond Park to become the first side to qualify for the quarter-finals.[6] A 51–36 win away from home against Northampton in the sixth and final round, including a hat-trick from Simon Zebo, secured a home quarter-final for Munster.[7] However, in the quarter-final, Munster were beaten 22–16 at home by provincial rivals Ulster, ending their Heineken Cup campaign for the 2011–12 season.[8]

In the 2011–12 Pro12, Munster finished third with 67 points, in a season that included 14 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats after 22 regular matches. In the play-offs, Munster lost 45–10 away to eventual champions Ospreys,[9] in a match that was Tony McGahan's final as Munster head coach.[10] New Zealander Rob Penney was subsequently confirmed as Munster's new head coach.[11]

2011–12 Playing Squad

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union Jerry Flannery Hooker Ireland Seán Henry Hooker Ireland Mike Sherry Hooker Ireland Damien Varley Hooker Ireland Stephen Archer Prop Ireland Peter Borlase Prop New Zealand BJ Botha Prop South Africa John Hayes Prop Ireland Marcus Horan Prop Ireland Wian du Preez Prop South Africa John Ryan Prop Ireland Dave Foley Lock Ireland Ian Nagle Lock Ireland Donncha O'Callaghan Lock Ireland Paul O'Connell (c) Lock Ireland Mick O'Driscoll Lock Ireland Donnacha Ryan Lock Ireland Billy Holland Flanker Ireland Tommy O'Donnell Flanker Ireland Peter O’Mahony Flanker Ireland Niall Ronan Flanker Ireland David Wallace Flanker Ireland Paddy Butler Number 8 Ireland James Coughlan Number 8 Ireland Denis Leamy Number 8 Ireland

Player Position Union Conor Murray Scrum-half Ireland Tomás O'Leary Scrum-half Ireland Peter Stringer Scrum-half Ireland Duncan Williams Scrum-half Ireland Declan Cusack Fly-half Ireland Scott Deasy Fly-half Ireland Ian Keatley Fly-half Ireland Ronan O'Gara Fly-half Ireland Danny Barnes Centre Ireland Will Chambers Centre Australia Ivan Dineen Centre Ireland Tom Gleeson Centre Ireland Lifeimi Mafi Centre New Zealand Savenaca Tokula Centre New Zealand Keith Earls Wing Ireland Doug Howlett Wing New Zealand Johne Murphy Wing Ireland Simon Zebo Wing Ireland Denis Hurley Fullback Ireland Felix Jones Fullback Ireland Seán Scanlon Fullback Ireland

Pre-season

12 August 2011 19:30

La Rochelle	19–14	Munster
	Report[12]

Stade Marcel-Deflandre Attendance: 11,000

19 August 2011 19:00

Munster	0–15	Wasps
	Report[13]

Musgrave Park

26 August 2011 19:00

Munster	11–10	London Irish
	Report[14]

Thomond Park

2011–12 Pro12

Main article: 2011–12 Pro12

Pro12 Table
	Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points For	Points Against	Points Difference	Tries For	Tries Against	Try Bonus	Losing Bonus	Points
1	Leinster (F)	22	18	1	3	568	326	+242	48	28	5	2	81
2	Ospreys (C)	22	16	1	5	491	337	+154	44	22	2	3	71
3	Munster (SF)	22	14	1	7	489	367	+122	45	27	5	4	67
4	Glasgow Warriors (SF)	22	13	4	5	445	321	+124	34	23	2	3	65
5	Scarlets	22	12	2	8	446	373	+73	43	30	5	5	62
6	Ulster	22	12	0	10	474	424	+50	53	41	5	3	56
7	Cardiff Blues	22	10	0	12	446	460	−14	43	45	5	5	50
8	Connacht	22	7	1	14	321	433	−112	27	36	0	7	37
9	Newport Gwent Dragons	22	7	1	14	370	474	−104	27	41	1	5	36
10	Benetton Treviso	22	7	0	15	419	558	−139	41	57	3	5	36
11	Edinburgh	22	6	1	15	454	588	−134	42	65	2	4	32
12	Aironi	22	4	0	18	289	551	−262	22	54	1	5	22
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[15] number of matches won; the difference between points for and points against; the number of tries scored; the most points scored; the difference between tries for and tries against; the fewest red cards received; the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places. Qualification for the Heineken Cup is based on each country's allocation, i.e. three highest-ranked Irish teams, three highest-ranked Welsh teams, both Italian teams and both Scottish teams. Because Leinster won the 2012 Heineken Cup Final, Ireland earned an extra Heineken Cup place, which will go to Connacht. Aironi were denied a licence for the 2012–13 season due to financial issues; the newly established Zebre side replaced Aironi in the Pro12 and Heineken Cup. Updated 5 May 2012. Source: RaboDirect PRO12

3 September 2011 19:45

Munster	20–12	Newport Gwent Dragons
	Report[16]

Musgrave Park Attendance: 7,252 Referee: Stefano Penne

9 September 2011 19:30

Glasgow Warriors	12–23	Munster
	Report[17]

Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,914

17 September 2011 19:45

Munster	35–12	Scarlets
	Report[18]

Musgrave Park Attendance: 7,648 Referee: Andy Macpherson

23 September 2011 19:05

Cardiff Blues	13–18	Munster
	Report[19]

Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 5,466

30 September 2011 19:30

Edinburgh	29–14	Munster
	Report[20]

Murrayfield Attendance: 3,467

8 October 2011 19:30

Munster	13–17	Ospreys
	Report[21]

Thomond Park Attendance: 16,599 Referee: James Jones

28 October 2011 20:30

Munster	18–6	Aironi
	Report[22]

Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,742 Referee: Peter Allan

4 November 2011 20:00

Leinster	24–19	Munster
	Report[23]

Aviva Stadium Attendance: 48,365

26 November 2011 20:30

Munster	34–17	Edinburgh
	Report[24]

Thomond Park Attendance: 18,200

3 December 2011 18:30

Ospreys	19–13	Munster
	Report[25]

Liberty Stadium Attendance: 5,783 Referee: Peter Allan

26 December 2011 19:45

Munster	24–9	Connacht
	Report[26]

Thomond Park Attendance: 21,030

30 December 2011 19:05

Ulster	33–17	Munster
	Report[27]

Ravenhill Attendance: 11,379

7 January 2012 20:15

Munster	29–11	Treviso
	Report[28]

Thomond Park Attendance: 16,816 Referee: Nigel Owens

18 February 2012 16:15

Treviso	14–35	Munster
	Report[29]

Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 4,200

24 February 2012 19:05

Munster	16–13	Cardiff Blues
	Report[30]

Thomond Park Attendance: 19,545

3 March 2012 18:30

Newport Gwent Dragons	14–24	Munster
	Report[31]

Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,129 Referee: Carlo Damasco

11 March 2012 15:00

Aironi	21–17	Munster
	Report[32]

Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Attendance: 3,000

24 March 2012 19:45

Connacht	16–20	Munster
	Report[33]

Galway Sportsgrounds

31 March 2012 19:30

Munster	9–18	Leinster
	Report[34]

Thomond Park Attendance: 26,500 Referee: Nigel Owens

14 April 2012 19:15

Munster	35–29	Glasgow Warriors
	Report[35]

Musgrave Park Attendance: 7,942 Referee: Nigel Owens

21 April 2012 18:30

Scarlets	20–20	Munster
	Report[36]

Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 10,741 Referee: Alain Rolland

5 May 2012 19:30

Munster	36–8	Ulster
	Report[37]

Thomond Park Attendance: 19,362 Referee: Alain Rolland

Play-offs

Semi-final

11 May 2012 19:35

Ospreys	45–10	Munster
	Report[38]

Liberty Stadium Attendance: 10,026 Referee: Alain Rolland

2011–12 Heineken Cup

Main article: 2011–12 Heineken Cup

Pool 1

Team	P	W	D	L	Tries for	Tries against	Try diff	Points for	Points against	Points diff	TB	LB	Pts
Munster	6	6	0	0	14	10	+4	163	118	+45	1	0	25
Scarlets	6	3	0	3	12	9	+3	119	124	−5	1	2	15
Northampton Saints	6	2	0	4	18	16	+2	176	160	+16	2	2	12
Castres	6	1	0	5	10	19	−9	111	167	−56	1	2	7

12 November 2011

Munster	23–21	Northampton Saints
	Report[39]

Thomond Park Attendance: 25,600 Referee: Nigel Owens

19 November 2011

Castres	24–27	Munster
	Report[40]

Stade Ernest-Wallon Attendance: 13,500 Referee: Wayne Barnes

10 December 2011

Scarlets	14–17	Munster
	Report[41]

Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 13,183 Referee: Romain Poite

18 December 2011

Munster	19–13	Scarlets
	Report[42]

Thomond Park Attendance: 25,600 Referee: Dave Pearson

14 January 2012

Munster	26–10	Castres
	Report[43]

Thomond Park Attendance: 25,600 Referee: A. Small

21 January 2012

Northampton Saints	36–51	Munster
	Report[44]

Stadium MK Attendance: 22,220 Referee: Romain Poite

Quarter-final

8 April 2012

Munster	16–22	Ulster
	Report[45]

Thomond Park Attendance: 26,000 Referee: Romain Poite

References

1. "Heineken Cup Pool Draw". Munster Rugby. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
2. "Cometh the Moment, Cometh The Men". Munster Rugby. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
3. "Same Again Thanks Rog". Munster Rugby. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
4. "Set-Piece & Defence Gives Munster The Edge". Munster Rugby. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
5. "Munster Complete The Scarlets Job". Munster Rugby. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
6. "Fifth Successive Wins Sees Munster Through". Munster Rugby. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
7. "Munster Close The Deal". Munster Rugby. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
8. "Munster Go Crashing Out". Munster Rugby. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
9. "Ospreys Through To The Rabo Final". Munster Rugby. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
10. "Wallabies Confirm McGahan Appointment". Munster Rugby. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
11. "Penney Appointed". Munster Rugby. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
12. "Munster Leave Themselves Too Much To Do". Munster Rugby. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
13. "Munster Held Scoreless In Musgrave Park". Munster Rugby. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
14. "Munster Overcome Irish". Munster Rugby. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
15. Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro12. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
16. "First Half Sets Up Opening Round Victory". Munster Rugby. 4 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
17. "12th On The Trot For Munster". Munster Rugby. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
18. "12th On The Trot For Munster". Munster Rugby. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
19. "Defensive Display Keeps Munster Top". Munster Rugby. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
20. "No Complaints About The Outcome". Munster Rugby. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
21. "No Crumb Of Comfort In Losing Bonus". Munster Rugby. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
22. "Munster Master The Conditions". Munster Rugby. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
23. "Too Little Too Late?". Munster Rugby. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
24. "Munster Impress". Munster Rugby. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
25. "Howlett The Real Loss". Munster Rugby. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
26. "Youngster Impress As Oldster Departs". Munster Rugby. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
27. "Error Strewn Second Half Costs Munster". Munster Rugby. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
28. "Munster Back On Track". Munster Rugby. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
29. "Bonus Point Win For Munster in Treviso". Munster Rugby. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
30. "Munster Edge It". Munster Rugby. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
31. "Munster End Their Rodney Parade Hoodoo". Munster Rugby. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
32. "Munster Lose Out In Stadio Zaffanella". Munster Rugby. 11 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
33. "Munster Keep Their Heads To Take The Points". Munster Rugby. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
34. "Munster Way Off The Pace". Munster Rugby. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
35. "Munster Bounce Back Impressively". Munster Rugby. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
36. "Draw Sees Munster Through". Munster Rugby. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
37. "Win For Munster". Munster Rugby. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
38. "No Consolation Of Any Sort In This Result". Munster Rugby. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
39. "Cometh the Moment, Cometh The Men". Munster Rugby. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
40. "Same Again Thanks Rog". Munster Rugby. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
41. "Set-Piece & Defence Gives Munster The Edge". Munster Rugby. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
42. "Munster Complete The Scarlets Job". Munster Rugby. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
43. "Fifth Successive Wins Sees Munster Through". Munster Rugby. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
44. "Munster Close The Deal". Munster Rugby. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
45. "Munster Go Crashing Out". Munster Rugby. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2018.

External links

• 2011–12 Munster Rugby season official site