Ulster 14 Munster 15 rankings: Stuart McCloskey stands out as province loses opening sport of the brand new 12 months

A harmful begin to 2023 for Ulster as they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with a 15-14 reverse to Munster at Ravenhill on Sunday night.

dam McKendry palms out the rankings…

Beginning XV

Stewart Moore – 5

Tried just a few chip kicks to nothing however evidenced his rising consolation at full-back with some good defensive reads. Wish to present extra in assault, although.

Rob Baloucoune – 6

Confirmed elite tempo for his strive, which was spectacular given how lengthy he has been out of the sport because of his harm. Not less than urged he was going to do one thing harmful.

James Hume – 5

Nonetheless ready for him to re-discover his electrical kind from final season, though his harm hasn’t helped. Was dwarfed by his centre accomplice however did not do a lot fallacious.

Stuart McCloskey – 7

Maybe the one participant to come back out of this sport with credit score within the financial institution as he single-handedly led Ulster’s defensive cost and gained his bodily battle with Fekitoa.

Jacob Stockdale – 4

Reveals flashes of the participant we all know he may be, however the rust continues to be there. Regarded very nervy below the excessive ball all through the sport and the tackles have been somewhat gentle.

Billy Burns – 5

Runs the road properly however, in equity to him, did not get a lot of an opportunity to indicate that as his aspect may barely maintain onto the ball. Kicks to the nook left somewhat to be desired.

John Cooney – 6

Kicked his targets which stored the scoreboard ticking over within the first half, did one of the best he may with the ball that he was given however was consistently pissed off by sluggish ball.

Rory Sutherland – 5

Held up his aspect of the scrum properly for almost all of the sport however did not have as a lot of an affect within the free as he maybe would have favored.

Tom Stewart – 6

Was Ulster’s most dynamic participant within the free however just a few line-out miscues value the crew in key areas of the pitch. The yellow card was extra a crew card than his.

Marty Moore – 5

Had been going solidly till his horror harm, which the province will desperately hope isn’t as critical because it regarded. Ulster notably missed him for the rest.

Kieran Treadwell – 4

Has improved massively this season however nonetheless but to show he may be as efficient beginning video games as he’s coming off the bench. Went lacking an excessive amount of.

Iain Henderson – 6

Physicality and endeavour led the way in which within the pack, as you’ll anticipate from the captain, however his management wanted to shine a lot brighter in direction of the top.

Greg Jones – 4

You possibly can’t assist however really feel for him given the dearth of rugby he is performed and developing in opposition to somebody like Jack O’Donoghue. Did handle one line-out steal.

Sean Reffell – 4

Equally to Jones, dropped into the fireplace after an absence of rugby. It is laborious to criticise him an excessive amount of due to that, however was outplayed by Alex Kendellen on the breakdown.

Duane Vermeulen – 5

The Springbok quantity eight had in all probability one of many quietest video games for Ulster. Produced some moments that have been spectacular however the province needed extra.

Replacements

John Andrew (for S Moore, 35-46mins, for Stewart, 77mins) – 5

A part of the massive defensive effort, got here on too late on the finish

Eric O’Sullivan (for Sutherland, 66mins) – 4

Did not make any vital affect

Gareth Milasinovich (for M Moore, 30mins) – 4

Launched early however was below strain at scrum time

Sam Carter (for Treadwell, 63mins) – 4

Not as noticeable as he would have favored

Jordi Murphy (for Jones, 66mins) – 4

Put himself about however was a bit too quiet

Nathan Doak (for Cooney, 63mins) – 4

The loss was on no account his fault however missed key kick

Jake Flannery (for Burns, 74mins) – 4

Not on lengthy sufficient to make an affect

Ethan McIlroy (for Stockdale, 77mins) – n/a

Got here on when the forwards took over