Ulster battle back to earn 26-26 draw with Munster in Belfast URC derby
On 10 October 2026 in Belfast, Ulster recovered from a 26-5 half-time deficit to draw 26-26 with Munster in a United Rugby Championship Irish derby after Stuart McCloskey's converted try three minutes from time secured a share of the points.
Munster had dominated the first half, with Alex Kendellen crossing twice and Marnus van der Merwe and Dan Kelly also scoring, leaving the visitors 26-5 up at the interval with three conversions from Joey Hanrahan. Ulster had responded before half-time through Jacob Stockdale, who marked his 150th appearance with a solo try, and the visitors added no further points after the break as Ulster mounted their comeback.
Ulster began poorly, committing handling errors that allowed Munster to build pressure and open the scoring when Kendellen powered over from a maul. A subsequent scrum on the edge of the Munster 22 led to Ethan McIlroy feeding Stockdale, who barged past two defenders to score; the try survived a lengthy television match official check to determine whether Stuart McCloskey had tripped Shay McCarthy.
Munster reasserted control through their pack, using another maul for van der Merwe to score, and Dan Kelly added a try that left Munster 26-5 ahead at the break. Cormac Izuchukwu was yellow-carded in the first half after his shoulder struck Gavin Coombes' head at a ruck, coming after Ulster had already lost second row Eli Snyman to a head knock.
Richie Murphy responded at half-time by introducing Tom McAllister and James McNabney, and later Tom O'Toole and Matthew Devine; O'Toole, on his first appearance of the season, powered a surge that created space for Rob Baloucoune to set up Stockdale's second try. David McCann then scored following sustained pressure, and a replacement Munster fly-half, Charlie O'Shea, missed a penalty after the ball fell off the tee and he had to scramble, leaving Ulster within reach.
With time running out Ulster pushed for the levelling score and McCloskey barged over three minutes from time before Jack Murphy converted to make the scores level. It is a second successive draw for Ulster after last week's 33-33 tie with Glasgow, and the result leaves Richie Murphy's side still searching for a first win following an opening defeat to Edinburgh.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan had admitted midweek that last season's dismal 28-3 loss in Belfast remains 'etched' in his memory, and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was in the stands as Kendellen crossed for his second try which secured Munster's bonus point before half-time.
Ulster: McIlroy; Baloucoune, Benson, McCloskey, Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; O'Sullivan, Stewart (capt), Knox, Donnell, Snyman, Izuchukwu, Timoney, Augustus. Replacements: Walker, O'Toole, McAllister, McNabney, McCann, Devine, Flannery, Mullins.
Munster: O'Connor; McCarthy, Nankivell, Kelly, O'Brien; Hanrahan, Casey; Loughman, Van der Merwe, Brookes; O'Connell, Beirne (capt); O'Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes. Replacements: Clein, Wycherley, Aungier, Foy, Gleeson, O'Donovan, O'Shea, Hodnett.
Ulster travel to Zebre for the start of their Challenge Cup campaign on 17 October (15:15 BST) while Munster host Racing in the Champions Cup later that day (20:00).
