Tadhg Beirne has urged his Munster team to channel their Champions Cup disappointment to shake off a four-match losing streak and resurrect their URC campaign. Saturday’s 31-29 Thomond Park defeat to Castres saw Munster eliminated at the pool stage as they failed to progress to knockout rounds for the first time since 2020. “It doesn't sit well with me at all,” Beirne said on Saturday night, before the outcome of the Toulon-Gloucester game assured Munster of a Challenge Cup quarter-final appearance in April. If we are lucky enough to get into the Challenge Cup, it's another opportunity at silverware. If we make the Champions Cup next year, we'll definitely refer to this when we're in our group stage next year.

Source: Irish Examiner January 19, 2026 02:30 UTC