Exeter Chiefs vs Munster Rugby Preview
This weekend, the European Rugby Champions Cup continues, and the Exeter Chiefs welcome Munster in round two of the competition. The match takes place at Sandy Park this Sunday, December 17 at 1:00 PM. So far, Exter sits second in Pool Three after narrowly dispatching Toulon on the road. Munster is level with Bayonne in third place after a draw to the French side last weekend.
Munster has not been at their best this season after registering their second draw of the campaign. They let a late lead slip again last weekend to finish 17-17 against Bayonne on Saturday. Exeter looks more likely to take all four points as they hunt down fellow English side Northampton in the ERCC. Last weekend, the Chiefs registered a surprising win on the road, outscoring Toulon by one point. A win this weekend is vital for both sides, ahead of the return to regular season action before the New Year.
Exeter Chiefs vs Munster Rugby Head-To-Head and Key Stats
This rugby match has taken place four times in the last five years, with Munster securing the bragging rights on two occasions. The first meeting between the sides was in 2018 and it finished 10-10. The home team has won the next three fixtures between the clubs. Looking at the more recent history, Exeter vs Munster took place twice in April 2022. They met in the playoff part of the ERCC where the winner is decided over two legs.
When Exeter played at home in the fixture, only five points separated the sides. The Chiefs started strongly, securing a try from Stuart Hogg after five minutes played. The visitors could not register a score in the first half, and to make matters worse, they lost Jack O’Sullivan before the break. With a man less, Munster ended the first half 10-0 down. The second half showed a more positive approach from the visitors, and they finally got on the board with a Healy penalty. A couple of minutes later, two Exeter players went to the sin bin. Olly Woodburn went first, closely followed by Patrick Schickerling.
With Exter down to 13 men, it seems like they would need a miracle to hold on against the Irish. However, the home side proved tough to stop in the maul and they edged over the try line. They failed to ground the ball, so Munster punted the ball towards the halfway line. Hogg uses his feet to bring it under control, then fires an unbelievable drop kick to secure three more points for his side.
The Irish team were chasing the game, but they broke through the stout defence. With Munster in safe possession in their half, Henry Slade gambled and nearly intercepted a pass. However, Munster capitalised on the man advantage, and Ben Healy scored a wonderful try. With time against the Irish side, Exeter saw out the game 13-8.
When these sides met again, it was the second leg of the ERCC playoffs. Exeter had the advantage for this match, scoring five more points than Munster last time around. An early long-range penalty gave the home side the lead, but it did not last long. A quick tap-and-go caught Munster off guard, and Connor Murray attempted to stop scorer Sam Maunder. Unfortunately for the home fans, the try stood, and Murray went to the sin bin. Munster came alive when down to 14, securing a penalty to retake the lead. Carberry’s quick feet dazzled the Exeter defence to register a score, and he nailed the conversion. After 40 minutes, the score was 13-5, with Munster set to progress to the next round.
The second half began with an Exeter try, once again opting for a tap-and-go rather than the three points. The gamble paid off with Duane Vermeulen powering past three defenders on the line. However, the game turned, and Munster took control, scoring two penalties and a fantastic try. At full-time, the Irish side won 26-10 on the day and enjoyed an aggregate scoreline of 34-23.
If you are going to bet on a rugby match based on previous meetings, Exeter looks the more likely to win this weekend. Plus, when you consider the form of both sides, Exeter won their last game, but Munster drew at home.
Exeter Chiefs vs Munster Rugby Predictions
Predicting a rugby union fixture is never straightforward, but there is a clear favourite at the bookmaker this week. The odds for the home team to win on Sunday are currently 4/6. Placing a €10 bet on Exeter to win returns €16.67 including the value of your stake. Placing the same value wager on Munster yields €23.00, showing they have an uphill battle on their hands this week. The Irish side has already drawn two games this season. For them to draw again, the bookmaker is offering odds of 18/1.
Our prediction this week sees the English club walk away victorious. They are yet to lose to Munster at home, including one 10-10 drawn and a five-point victory over a year ago. Plus, the Irish side has not looked as assured this season as they have done in previous years. With all that in mind, we think Exeter will win on the weekend by seven points or fewer at the final whistle.
This fixture could be a great candidate if you are looking to sign up for online betting. Every major platform will give you a welcome bonus to help you get started. This week, Exeter is the favourite, and they are certainly playing the superior rugby. However, with the festive period fast approaching, any team could go on a run of wins for the rest of the month. A Munster upset is on the cards this weekend. But, for them to get a result in Exeter, they will have to play a lot better than we have seen recently in the URC.
Looking at the two most recent matches between these clubs, there has been at least one yellow card in either game. Munster received the only yellow card in their home leg back in 2022. In the first leg of the ERCC playoffs, the referee handed out three cards across the 80 minutes. With four cards in the past two fixtures between these clubs and the stricter rules around head contact, a sin bin or dismissal could occur this weekend.
Exeter Chiefs vs Munster Rugby Betting Tips
This is your last chance to bet on the European Rugby Champions Cup before the teams involved return to regular action. However, that does not mean you should get carried away. Even after this fixture, both sides have plenty of games coming up over the next few months. Plus, when you consider the returns for betting outright on either side, this is not the fixture for a big-money wager.
To maximise your returns this weekend, you must consider other options besides a match result prediction. Betting on Exeter to win by any scoreline is a safer bet than selecting a handicap or winning margin wager. However, both these options pay better if they come true. Placing a bet on the Chiefs to win by one to seven points has odds of 11/4. If you place a €20 wager on this market, you could win €75 if the home side triumphs by seven points or fewer. Plus, if you choose a -2 handicap for Exeter, all they need to do is win by at least three points. This market also has better returns with odds of 4/5.
Betting on rugby union matches is fun, but games aren’t always predictable. Munster has not been great this season, but they still sit fourth in the United Rugby Championship. Exeter has found similar struggles in the league, and they have lost three of their opening eight games. Betting on Munster to perform an upset in this match is not completely out of the question, but it seems unlikely. They have taken the lead in their last three fixtures but failed to hold on against Leinster and Bayonne. Be cautious when placing a rugby bet this week.
🗞️ SQUAD UPDATE | Simon Zebo, Patrick Campbell, Shane Daly, Peter O'Mahony, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager & Edwin Edogbo will all take part in modified training this week ahead of Sunday's trip to Sandy Park.
Full details ⤵️#EXEvMUN #SUAF 🔴
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 12, 2023
Exeter Chiefs Team News and Lineup
For the match against Toulon, the Chiefs director of rugby changed his side to cause the French club problems. He named an entirely different front row, including Scott Sio, Ehren Painter, and Dan Frost. Did the trio do enough last week to secure a consecutive start in the ERCC?
Further changes in the squad saw Rusi Tuima, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and Tom Cairns make the match-day squad. While the changes worked in Exeter’s favour, will Rob Baxter stick with his side ahead of the clash with Munster?
- Exeter Predicted Lineup: S. Sio, J. Yeandle, E. Painter, R. Tuima, D. Jenkins, E. Roots, J. Vermeulen, A. Davis, T. Cairns, H. Skinner, B. Hammersley, J. Hawkins, H. Slade, I. Feyi-Waboso, and T. Wyatt.
Munster Rugby Team News and Lineup
There is some hope for Munster fans this weekend as several players have returned to modified training this week. That means previously injured players are edging closer to a return, none more so than Ireland rugby legend Peter O’Mahony. The other players close to making their return include Patrick Campbell, Simon Zebo, Shane Daly, Oli Jager, Diarmuid Barron, and academy lock Edwin Edogbo. Also, Seán O’Brien is following the return-to-play protocols and might be ready in time for Exeter.
Unfortunately, nine senior players will not be available for the fixture this weekend, and we still await an estimated return date for most of them. Jack Daly, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Liam Coombes, Roman Salanoa, Joey Carbery, Cian Hurley, Mike Haley, and Nial Scannell will not play against Exeter.
- Munster Predicted Lineup: J. Loughman, D. Barron, J. Ryan, F. Wycherley, T. Beirne, T. Ahern, J. Hodnett, G. Coombes, C. Murray, J. Crowley, S. Daly, R. Scannell, A. Nankivell, S. McCarthy, and C. Nash.
