2003–04 Munster Rugby season

Rugby team

2003–04 Munster Rugby seasonGround(s)| Thomond Park (Capacity: 13,200)
Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,300)

|

Coach(es)| Alan Gaffney
Captain(s)| Jim Williams
League(s)| Celtic League
2003–04| 7th
| <- 2002–03 | 2004–05 ->

|

The 2003–04 Munster Rugby season was Munster's third season competing in the Celtic League, alongside which they also competed in the Heineken Cup. It was Alan Gaffney's first season as head coach.

## 2003–04 squad

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

| Player  | Position  | Union

|
|

James Blaney | Hooker |  Ireland
Jerry Flannery | Hooker |  Ireland
Andy Long | Hooker |  England
Frankie Sheahan | Hooker |  Ireland
John Hayes | Prop |  Ireland
Marcus Horan | Prop |  Ireland
Simon Kerr | Prop |  Australia
Eugene McGovern | Prop |  Ireland
Gordon McIlwham | Prop |  Ireland
Frank Roche | Prop |  Ireland
Tommy Hayes | Lock |  Ireland
Trevor Hogan | Lock |  Ireland
Donncha O'Callaghan | Lock |  Ireland
Paul O'Connell | Lock |  Ireland
Shane O'Connor | Lock |  Ireland
Donal Sheehan | Lock |  Ireland
Anthony Foley | Back row |  Ireland
Stephen Keogh | Back row |  Ireland
Denis Leamy | Back row |  Ireland
Colm McMahon | Back row |  Ireland
David Pusey | Back row |  Australia
Alan Quinlan | Back row |  Ireland
David Wallace | Back row |  Ireland
Jim Williams (c) | Back row |  Australia
| Player  | Position  | Union

|
|

Frank Murphy | Scrum-half |  Ireland
Mike Prendergast | Scrum-half |  Ireland
Eoin Reddan | Scrum-half |  Ireland
Peter Stringer | Scrum-half |  Ireland
Ronan O'Gara | Fly-half |  Ireland
Jeremy Staunton | Fly-half |  Ireland
Clem Casey | Centre |  Ireland
Rob Henderson | Centre |  Ireland
Jason Holland | Centre |  Ireland
Jason Jones-Hughes | Centre |  Wales
Killian Keane | Centre |  Ireland
Mike Mullins | Centre |  Ireland
Conrad O'Sullivan | Centre |  Ireland
Anthony Horgan | Wing |  Ireland
John Kelly | Wing |  Ireland
Mossy Lawler | Wing |  Ireland
Martin McPhail | Wing |  Ireland
Dominic Crotty | Fullback |  Ireland
Christian Cullen | Fullback |  New Zealand
Shaun Payne | Fullback |  South Africa

## Pre-season

[edit]

22 August 2003

Munster | 38–19|  Rotherham

|
|

| Report[1]|
Thomond Park

29 August 2003

Connacht | 12–38|  Munster

|
|

| Report[2]|
Galway Sportsgrounds

## 2003–04 Celtic League

[edit]

Main article: 2003–04 Celtic League

| Team  | Pld  | W  | D  | L  | PF  | PA  | PD  | TF  | TA  | Try bonus  | Losing bonus  | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 |  Llanelli Scarlets | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 597 | 385 | +212 | 57 | 39 | 7 | 3 | 76
2 |  Ulster | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 617 | 363 | +254 | 67 | 29 | 8 | 4 | 72
3 |  Newport Gwent Dragons | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 590 | 449 | +141 | 59 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 72
4 |  Celtic Warriors | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 560 | 451 | +109 | 48 | 37 | 5 | 4 | 65
5 |  Neath-Swansea Ospreys | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 582 | 512 | +70 | 55 | 60 | 5 | 4 | 55
6 |  Cardiff Blues | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 570 | 467 | +103 | 73 | 54 | 7 | 3 | 54
7 |  Munster | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 422 | 456 | −34 | 45 | 49 | 6 | 5 | 51
8 |  Leinster | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 523 | 580 | −57 | 51 | 65 | 4 | 5 | 47
9 |  Connacht | 22 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 479 | 550 | −71 | 50 | 59 | 5 | 3 | 44
10 |  Edinburgh | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 454 | 622 | −168 | 52 | 69 | 6 | 2 | 44
11 |  Glasgow | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 442 | 614 | −172 | 52 | 61 | 3 | 3 | 32
12 |  Borders | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 363 | 750 | −387 | 42 | 88 | 1 | 5 | 22

Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:

* 4 points for a win
* 2 points for a draw
* 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus)
* 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)

Source: RaboDirect PRO12 Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine

5 September 2003
19:35

Leinster | 8–15|  Munster

|
|

| Report[3]|
Donnybrook
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Paul Adams

12 September 2003
19:30

Munster | 12–19|  Llanelli Scarlets

|
|

| Report[4]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 5,500

27 September 2003
17:30

Neath-Swansea Ospreys | 33–26|  Munster

|
|

| Report[5]|
St. Helen's
Attendance: 5,200

10 October 2003
19:30

Munster | 15–16|  Ulster

|
|

| Report[6]|
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 4,000

17 October 2003
19:05

Newport Gwent Dragons | 29–6|  Munster

|
|

| Report[7]|
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,571

24 October 2003
19:30

Munster | 26–10|  Glasgow

|
|

| Report[8]|
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 2,000

31 October 2003
19:30

Munster | 22–21|  Celtic Warriors

|
|

| Report[9]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 3,500

7 November 2003
19:30

Edinburgh | 20–9|  Munster

|
|

| Report[10]|
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,300

28 November 2003
19:35

Munster | 31–10|  Cardiff Blues

|
|

| Report[11]|
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Iain Ramage

2 January 2004
19:00

Connacht | 0–3|  Munster

|
|

| Report[12]|
Dubarry Park
Attendance: 3,500

6 February 2004
19:30

Munster | 29–21|  Borders

|
|

| Report[13]|
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 3,800

13 February 2004
19:35

Munster | 24–13|  Leinster

|
|

| Report[14]|
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,400
Referee: Hugh Watkins

20 February 2004
19:30

Llanelli Scarlets | 37–20|  Munster

|
|

| Report[15]|
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,169

27 February 2004
19:35

Munster | 15–18|  Neath-Swansea Ospreys

|
|

| Report[16]|
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,000

5 March 2004
19:35

Ulster | 36–13|  Munster

|
|

| Report[17]|
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,820

12 March 2004
19:30

Munster | 6–16|  Newport Gwent Dragons

|
|

| Report[18]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 4,470

26 March 2004
19:55

Glasgow | 12–37|  Munster

|
|

| Report[19]|
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,645

2 April 2004
19:05

Celtic Warriors | 29–25|  Munster

|
|

| Report[20]|
Sardis Road
Attendance: 4,157

16 April 2004
19:30

Munster | 17–28|  Edinburgh

|
|

| Report[21]|
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 4,935

30 April 2004
19:05

Cardiff Blues | 60–14|  Munster

|
|

| Report[22]|
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,110
Referee: Iain Ramage

7 May 2004
19:35

Munster | 39–10|  Connacht

|
|

| Report[23]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 3,233

14 May 2004
19:30

Borders | 10–18|  Munster

|
|

| Report[24]|
Netherdale
Attendance: 2,000

## 2003–04 Celtic Cup

[edit]

Main article: Celtic Cup (rugby union)

### Quarter-final

[edit]

3 October 2003
19:30

Glasgow | 18–14|  Munster

|
|

| Report[25]|
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,942

## 2003–04 Heineken Cup

[edit]

Main article: 2003–04 Heineken Cup

### Pool 5

[edit]

Team  | P  | W  | D  | L  | Tries for  | Tries against  | Try diff  | Points for  | Points against  | Points diff  | TB  | LB  | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Munster | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 5 | 17 | 172 | 76 | 96 | 4 | 0 | 24
Gloucester | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 197 | 100 | 97 | 4 | 0 | 24
Bourgoin | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 22 | −9 | 119 | 191 | −72 | 2 | 1 | 7
Benetton Treviso | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 32 | −19 | 104 | 225 | −121 | 1 | 0 | 5

6 December 2003
18:00

Bourgoin | 17–18|  Munster

|
|

| Report[26]|
Stade Pierre Rajon
Attendance: 9,200
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse

13 December 2003
17:00

Munster | 51–0|  Benetton Treviso

|
|

| Report[27]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 13,000
Referee: Rob Dickson

10 January 2004
27:00

Gloucester | 22–11|  Munster

|
|

| Report[28]|
Kingsholm
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Nigel Williams

17 January 2004
17:00

Munster | 36–8|  Gloucester

|
|

| Report[29]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 12,000

24 January 2004
14:30

Benetton Treviso | 20–31|  Munster

|
|

| Report[30]|
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Joel Dume

31 January 2004
17:00

Munster | 26–3|  Bourgoin

|
|

| Report[31]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Tony Spreadbury

### Quarter-final

[edit]

10 April 2004
17:00

Munster | 37–32|  Stade Français

|
|

| Report[32]|
Thomond Park
Attendance: 13,100
Referee: Nigel Williams

### Semi-final

[edit]

25 April 2004
15:00

Munster | 32–37|  London Wasps

|
|

| Report[33]|
Lansdowne Road
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Nigel Williams

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "A Win for Munster in Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 23 August 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
2. ^ "Munster Defeat Connacht in Galway". Munster Rugby. 29 August 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
3. ^ "Munster Get the Job Done in Donnybrook". Munster Rugby. 5 September 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
4. ^ "Llanelli End Munster Record". Munster Rugby. 12 September 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
5. ^ "Neath/Swansea too strong for Munster". Munster Rugby. 27 September 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
6. ^ "Munster Lose to Ulster in Musgrave". Munster Rugby. 10 October 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
7. ^ "Munster Defeated by Dragons". Munster Rugby. 17 October 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
8. ^ "Munster Beat Glasgow in Musgrave". Munster Rugby. 24 October 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
9. ^ "Staunton Kicks Munster to Victory". Munster Rugby. 31 October 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
10. ^ "Munster Lose in Edinburgh". Munster Rugby. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
11. ^ "Munster back to Winning Ways". Munster Rugby. 28 November 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
12. ^ "Munster Slip Past Connacht". Munster Rugby. 3 January 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
13. ^ "Borders unable to Stop Munster". Munster Rugby. 6 February 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
14. ^ "Munster Secure Bonus Point". Munster Rugby. 13 February 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
15. ^ "Llanelli 37 Munster 20". Munster Rugby. 21 February 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
16. ^ "Elvis Rocks Munster". Munster Rugby. 27 February 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
17. ^ "Ulster 36-13 Munster". Munster Rugby. 6 March 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
18. ^ "Dragons defeat Munster at Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 13 March 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
19. ^ "Munster too Strong for Glasgow". Munster Rugby. 27 March 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
20. ^ "Munster unlucky at Sardis Road". Munster Rugby. 3 April 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
21. ^ "Munster's Poor Run in the Celtic League Continues". Munster Rugby. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
22. ^ "Munster Humbled in Cardiff". Munster Rugby. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
23. ^ "Munster 39-10 Connacht". Munster Rugby. 7 May 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
24. ^ "Munster Finish on a High". Munster Rugby. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
25. ^ "Munster out of Celtic Cup". Munster Rugby. 4 October 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
26. ^ "Munster Win in France". Munster Rugby. 7 December 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
27. ^ "Munster Outclass Treviso". Munster Rugby. 13 December 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
28. ^ "Gloucester 22 Munster 11". Munster Rugby. 10 January 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
29. ^ "Munster Inspire in Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 17 January 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
30. ^ "Munster Score Five Tries in Italy". Munster Rugby. 24 January 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
31. ^ "Munster Secure Home Quarter Final". Munster Rugby. 31 January 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
32. ^ "Munster 37-32 Stade Francais". Munster Rugby. 10 April 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
33. ^ "Brave Munster Out of Heineken Cup". Munster Rugby. 25 April 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.

## External links

[edit]

* 2003–04 Munster Rugby season official site Archived 27 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

Munster Rugby

Staff|

* Players
* Coaches

Home Stadiums|

* Thomond Park
* Musgrave Park

Competitions|

* United Rugby Championship
* European Rugby Champions Cup
* IRFU Interprovincial Championship

History|

* European Record

Seasons|

* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24

Matches|

| Heineken Cup Finals|

* 2000
* 2002
* 2006
* 2008

|

URC Grand Finals|

* 2011
* 2015
* 2017
* 2021
* 2023

|

By opponent|

* Connacht
* Leinster
* New Zealand
* Ulster

|

Munster A|

| Competitions|

* Celtic Cup
* Cara Cup

|

Defunct competitions|

* British and Irish Cup

|

See also|

* The Fields of Athenry
* Alone it Stands

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