Summary

  • Bulls 25-20 Leinster

  • Munster 10-17 Glasgow

  • Bulls to face Glasgow in URC final in Pretoria on Saturday 22 June

  1. Calm before the stormpublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 15 June

    Munster v Glasgow (18:00 BST)

    Munster teamImage source, Inpho
    Franco SmithImage source, Getty Images
  2. Last time outpublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 15 June

    Munster v Glasgow (18:00 BST)

    Munster ground their way into the semi-finals with a workmanlike 23-7 victory over Ospreys.

    Simon Zebo and Niall Scannell scored first-half tries before the boot of Jack Crowley sealed victory for the defending champions at Thomond Park.

    Ospreys were briefly on level terms after Keelan Giles' early try but could not make the most of their scrum dominance.

    This was a 10th successive win for Graham Rowntree's side, matching their run of wins en route to lifting the title in 2011.

    Glasgow booked a place in the semi-finals as a rousing performance helped them see off the Stormers at Scotstoun.

    Two George Horne penalties gave Warriors a 6-0 lead at the break.

    Ben Loader and Paul de Wet tries either side of a Sebastian Cancelliere score for the hosts gave the South Africans hope, but they were hindered by a hapless kicking display from Manie Libbok.

    Tries from substitutes Henco Venter and Ross Thompson, allied to 12 points from the boot of Horne, took Glasgow into the last four.

  3. Glasgow must not get 'engulfed' by the occasion - Smithpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 15 June

    Munster v Glasgow (18:00 BST)

    Franco Smith has urged his Glasgow side not to get "engulfed by the fact this is a semi-final" when they visit in-form Munster.

    While Glasgow have been to nine Pro12/URC semi-finals, this is their first since 2019.

    "That's the main theme around our team this week, to not get engulfed by the fact that this a semi-final," said head coach Smith.

    "We know more is made of the occasion. We need to stay on script and concentrate on our competence and our ability to make sure we give it the full go.

    "There's not a second chance in knockout rugby. Your approach changes a little bit, and there's a different mindset to it, but you must find the balance so that you have enough continuity of what brought you into the finals without going completely off script and away from your DNA."

    Franco SmithImage source, ge
  4. Team news - Haley returns for Munsterpublished at 17:35 British Summer Time 15 June

    Munster v Glasgow (18:00 BST)

    Ireland wing Calvin Nash has been ruled out of Munster's United Rugby Championship semi-final against Glasgow at Thomond Park.

    Nash is unavailable because of a 'leg knock'. Simon Zebo moves to the wing having been at full-back for last week's quarter-final win over Ospreys.

    Full-back Mike Haley and fit-again centre Alex Nankivell come into the backline while Fineen Wycherley and Jack O’Donoghue start in the pack as Graham Rowntree makes four changes.

    Glasgow are unchanged from the side that beat the Stormers in the quarter-final.

    Munster: Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Simon Zebo; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Jack O’Donoghue.

    Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Oli Jager, RG Snyman, Gavin Coombes, Conor Murray, Sean O’Brien, Alex Kendellen.

    Glasgow: McKay, Cancelliere, Jones, Tuipulotu, Steyn (C), Jordan, Horne; Bhatti, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Cummings, Gray, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

    Replacements: Turner, Kebble, Walker, Williamson, Ferrie, Venter, Dobie, Thompson

    Mike HaleyImage source, Getty Images
  5. Party time in Limerickpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 15 June

    Munster v Glasgow (18:00 BST)

    Munster fans have turned out in numbers to welcome the current champions to Thomond Park.

    MunsterImage source, Inpho
    Munster fansImage source, Inpho
    Munster fansImage source, Inpho
  6. Postpublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 15 June

    Munster v Glasgow (18:00 BST)

    Now we will turn our attention to the second semi-final taking place in Limerick...

  7. Leinster edged out by Bulls in URC semi-finalpublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 15 June

    FT: Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    You can read the report from the pulsating encounter in Pretoria here.

    Bulls celebrate a tryImage source, Inpho
  8. 'It could have gone either way' - Van der Flierpublished at 17:15 British Summer Time 15 June

    FT: Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    Leinster's Josh van der Flier speaking to RTE: "From our point of view it is very disappointing, we played a very good Bulls side.

    "There wasn't much in it today it could have gone either way as it was back and forth and a lot of territory battle, which the Bulls executed better, Johan kicked very well which was key too.

    "Credit to the Bulls it was a great piece of individual skill for that last try and we wish them well for next week."

  9. 'Coaching staff under pressure' - Shanklinpublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 15 June

    FT: Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    Former Wales international Tom Shanklin speaking on Premier Sports:

    "I think Leo Cullen and the coaching staff at Leinster might be under pressure now with three seasons in a row without a trophy.

    They have so much depth and talent and not winning trophies is unacceptable".

  10. 'We are gutted' - Ryanpublished at 17:01 British Summer Time 15 June

    FT: Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    Leinster captain James Ryan speaking to RTE after the game: "It was exactly like we expected, it was Test match intensity and we are gutted coming off the bad side of the result. Credit to the Bulls I thought they were exceptional and best of luck to them in the final.

    "In knockout rugby it is all about small margins and this side knows that more than most."

    LeinsterImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 15 June

    FT: Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    We're used to hearing "Zombie" by The Cranberries blaring after a big Ireland win at the Aviva but it is being sung with gusto at Loftus Versfeld as man of the match Cameron Hanekom says:

    "This is our house. You don't come here and get it easy".

    I think Leinster are certainly feeling that now.

  12. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 15 June

    Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    WHAT. A. GAME.

    The Bulls turn the ball over and put it out to send Loftus Versfeld wild. The Bulls will sit back and watch Munster v Glasgow to see who they will face in the URC final next week.

    Leinster gave it absolutely everything but their season ends trophy-less for a third straight year. You'll be delighted to know that many players from either side will be back here for South Africa v Ireland in three weeks and in Durban the week after.

    Stick with us for post-match reaction and pre-match previews of our second semi-final at Thomond Park.

    LeinsterImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 15 June

    Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    The kick drops short but Leinster will have to run it from their own line with less than a minute to go.

    Last chance saloon for Leinster to save their season!

  14. Postpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 15 June

    Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    Ryan Baird spills the ball to end another Leinster attack on 77 minutes which gives Johan Goosen the ball.

    He is caught by a high arm by Jack Conan and the Loftus Versfeld crowd are screaming for a card but Sam Grove-White gives a penalty only.

    Incredibly, Goosen is going for goal from 60 yards!

  15. Postpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 15 June

    Bulls 25-20 Leinster

    This is test rugby in all but name! Leinster go through all of 22 phases which The Bulls fend off before counter-rucking and clearing long to put Leinster under the posts for a goal line dropout.

    How both teams are still paying at such a level after a brutally physical game at the infamous Loftus Versfeld altitude is beyond me but is is a stunning watch.

    Six to go and nothing is certain yet.

  16. try

    Try Bulls 25-20 Leinsterpublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 15 June

    Sergeal Petersen (67 mins)

    A stunning try from Petersen as Embrose Papier puts up a high box kick that Ciaran Frawley is waiting on. However, he is beaten to it by The Bulls winger who dives over Chris Ashton-style.

    Goosen misses his first place kick of the day with the conversion. What a game of rugby!

  17. Penalty Bulls 20-20 Leinsterpublished at 16:29 British Summer Time 15 June

    Ross Byrne (65 mins)

    Byrne and Goosen are trading blows from the tee as we are level in Pretoria yet again!

    A ruck penalty again as The Bulls don't roll away.

  18. Penalty Bulls 20-17 Leinsterpublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 15 June

    Johan Goosen (61 mins)

    As quick as they are level, Leinster are behind again as Joe McCarthy is unfortunate to be penalised for not rolling away after sacking the maul well.

    Goosen is striking the ball sweetly and splits the uprights.

  19. Penalty Bulls 17-17 Leinsterpublished at 16:24 British Summer Time 15 June

    Ross Byrne (59 mins)

    A wonderful chip and chase from James Lowe gets Leinster on to the front foot before an offside from David Kriel gives Byrne the chance to level the game which he duly does.

    What a contest we are having here and a great response from Leinster to the early Bulls try in the second half.

  20. Postpublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 15 June

    Bulls 17-14 Leinster

    It's chaos here in Pretoria! A loose pass from Ross Byrne puts Leinster under pressure on their own line before a quick lineout from Willie Le Roux gets The Bulls going again and replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher is the man is forced to kick clear from his own line.