Munster became the first Irish provincial side to defeat a major touring team when they defeated Australia 11–8 in Musgrave Park, Cork on 25 January 1967. The first tangible result against a touring side was to come in 1958, when the Wallabies were held to a 3–3 draw in Thomond Park. Throughout the years, Munster were to record a number of near-misses and last minute defeats against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The first touring side to play Munster were the famous Original All Blacks led by Dave Gallaher, who lined out against Munster in the Markets Field, Limerick in November 1905. Munster has a great tradition of competitiveness and impassioned displays against touring sides. Teams such as Shannon, Garryowen and Young Munster built up fierce rivalries with one another, helping push standards in the province higher as a result. Munster traditionally drew its strength from the clubs of Limerick, with the game popular in the city and widely played at all levels. In amateur days, the four Irish provinces played against each other in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship and also played touring international sides. The founding of the Munster branch of the IRFU was intended to organise and oversee the game within the province and prevent any club bias by providing neutral selectors for the representative side. The first interprovincial matches between Leinster, Ulster and Munster, however, were held in 1875.
Munster was officially founded in 1879, at the same time as Leinster and Ulster, with Connacht being founded ten years later in 1889.
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