2023–24 Munster Rugby season explained

Teamname:	2023–24 Munster Rugby season
Ground:	Thomond Park (Capacity: 25,600)^[1] Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,800)
President:	Michael Carroll^[2]
Ceo:	Ian Flanagan
Chairman:	Gerry O'Shea
Prevseason:	2022–23
Nextseason:	2024–25

The 2023–24 Munster Rugby season is Munster's twenty-third season competing in the United Rugby Championship, alongside which they are also competing in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It is Graham Rowntree's second season as head coach.^[3] Munster went into the season as the defending league champions, having defeated the Stormers in the final of the previous season.^[4]

Events

Former Munster player Mossy Lawler returned to the province to join the coaching team as a skills coach, having spent the previous eight seasons coaching at Connacht.^[5] Academy manager Ian Costello was promoted to the newly created position of head of rugby operations,^[6] with Gearóid Prendergast, then-director of rugby at Young Munster, replacing him in the role.^[7] Lead performance analyst George Murray continues on in his role as technical coach after taking up the role in June 2022.

In players news, two players were promoted from the academy to the senior squad: back-three Patrick Campbell^[8] and lock/back-row Cian Hurley.^[9] Prop John Ryan returned to the province,^[10] whilst Alex Nankivell, who was Ryan's teammate at the Chiefs, also joined the province.^[11] Former Connacht centre Seán O'Brien joined the province from English club Exeter Chiefs.^[12] Five players joined year one of the Munster academy ahead of the season: prop George Hadden, back-row Brian Gleeson, fly-half Dylan Hicks and back-three players Shay McCarthy and Ben O'Connor.^[13]

Fly-half Ben Healy, who won his first cap for Scotland during the 2023 Six Nations, left the province to join Edinburgh,^[14] whilst centre Malakai Fekitoa also left to join Italian club Benetton.^[15] Lock Paddy Kelly and prop Liam O'Connor were forced to retire upon the conclusion of the previous season due to respective brain and neck injuries, centre Oli Morris and academy back-three Conor Phillips were released by the province,^[16] and lock Eoin O'Connor joined English club Exeter Chiefs^[17] Club legend Keith Earls, who was contracted until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, confirmed his retirement upon Ireland's exit from the tournament, bringing to an end his 16-year Munster career.^[18]

The format for the European Rugby Champions Cup changed for the 2023–24 season, with the two pool-format used during the COVID-19 pandemic dispensed with in favour of four pools of six clubs each, with each pool containing two teams from the United Rugby Championship, Top 14 and Premiership Rugby. The four highest-ranked teams in each pool progress to the knockout stage.^[19] Munster were in tier one for the pool draw by virtue of being 2022–23 URC champions, and were drawn in pool 3, where they will face English clubs Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints, and French clubs Bayonne and Toulon.^[20]

In a world first, Munster will host Super Rugby champions the Crusaders in a so-called Clash of Champions on 3 February 2024, a match that will see former Munster head coach Rob Penney return to the province after he was appointed as Crusaders new head coach ahead of 2024.^[21]

Greig Oliver, an elite player development officer with Munster's academy since 2011, died in a paragliding accident in Cape Town, South Africa, on 3 July 2023, where he and his wife were following their son Jack, who is in Munster's academy, with the Ireland under-20s team at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship.^[22]

Munster began their pre-season fixtures with a 33–12 home defeat against Leinster at Musgrave Park on 8 September^[23] and a 24–19 away win against Connacht at the Sportsground on 22 September,^[24] before defeating famous invitational touring side the Barbarians 47–35 at Thomond Park on 30 September;^[25] this match was the first time the sides' respective men's team faced each other.^[26]

Player movements

Below are the players who joined and left the Munster senior and academy squads ahead of the 2023–24 season. Italics indicates players that transferred during the 2023–24 season.

Senior squad

Players in

• Patrick Campbell promoted from Academy^[8]
• John Ryan from Chiefs^[10]
• Alex Nankivell from Chiefs^[11]
• Cian Hurley promoted from Academy^[9]
• Seán O'Brien from Exeter Chiefs^[12]

Players out

• Ben Healy to Edinburgh^[14]
• Malakai Fekitoa to Benetton^[15]
• Paddy Kelly retired^[16]
• Liam O'Connor retired^[16]
• Oli Morris released^[16]
• Eoin O'Connor to Exeter Chiefs^[17]
• Keith Earls retired^[18]

Academy squad

Players in

• Brian Gleeson^[13]
• George Hadden^[13]
• Dylan Hicks^[13]
• Shay McCarthy^[13]
• Ben O'Connor^[13]

Players out

• Conor Phillips released^[16]

Coaches and staff

Senior squad

Position	Name	Nationality
Head coach	Graham Rowntree
Attack coach	Mike Prendergast	Ireland
Forwards coach	Andi Kyriacou
Defence coach	Denis Leamy	Ireland
Lead performance analyst and technical coach	George Murray	Ireland
Skills coach	Mossy Lawler	Ireland
Team manager	Niall O'Donovan	Ireland
Head of rugby operations	Ian Costello	Ireland
Head of athletic performance	Ged McNamara	Ireland
Strength and conditioning coach	Adam Sheehan	Ireland
Head of medical	Jamie Kearns	Ireland
Lead physiotherapist	Damien Mordan	Ireland
Physiotherapist	Keith Thornhill	Ireland
Physiotherapist	Ray McGinley	Ireland
Performance analyst	Paul O'Brien	Ireland

Academy squad

Position	Name
Academy and pathway manager	Gearóid Prendergast
Elite player development officer	Brendan O'Connor
Elite player development officer	Tommy O'Donnell
Pathway development coach	Matt Brown
Lead academy athletic development coach	Danielle Cunningham
Academy and pathway performance analyst	Brandon Shanahan

Players

Senior squad

Munster Rugby senior squad
Props Stephen Archer Dave Kilcoyne Keynan Knox* Jeremy Loughman John Ryan Roman Salanoa Josh Wycherley Hookers Diarmuid Barron Scott Buckley Chris Moore* Niall Scannell Locks Thomas Ahern Tadhg Beirne Cian Hurley Jean Kleyn^[27] RG Snyman Fineen Wycherley	Back row Gavin Coombes Jack Daly John Hodnett Alex Kendellen Jack O'Donoghue Peter O'Mahony (c) Jack O'Sullivan Scrum-halves Craig Casey Neil Cronin Conor Murray Paddy Patterson Fly-halves Joey Carbery Jack Crowley	Centres Antoine Frisch Alex Nankivell Seán O'Brien Rory Scannell Back three Andrew Conway Patrick Campbell Liam Coombes Shane Daly Mike Haley Calvin Nash Simon Zebo
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. ^* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. ^ST denotes a short-term signing. ^L denotes a player on loan at the club. Players and their allocated positions from the Munster Rugby website.	1st Team Squad">Web site: Munster Rugby 1st Team Squad. Munster Rugby. 15 July 2023.

Academy squad

Munster Rugby academy squad
Props Mark Donnelly (3) George Hadden (1) Darragh McSweeney (2) Kieran Ryan (2) Hookers None at present Locks Edwin Edogbo (3) Evan O'Connell (2)	Back row Brian Gleeson (1) Daniel Okeke (3) Ruadhán Quinn (2) Scrum-halves Ethan Coughlan (3) Jack Oliver (2) Fly-halves Tony Butler (3) Dylan Hicks (1)	Centres Fionn Gibbons (2) Back three Shay McCarthy (1) Ben O'Connor (1)
Bold denotes internationally capped players, number in brackets indicates players stage in the three-year academy cycle. ^* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality. Players and their allocated positions from the Munster Rugby website.	Academy Squad">Web site: Munster Rugby Academy Squad. Munster Rugby. 15 July 2023.

2023–24 United Rugby Championship

See main article: article and 2023–24 United Rugby Championship.

Semi-final

2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup

See main article: article and 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup.

Munster were in tier one for the pool draw of the 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup by virtue of being 2022–23 URC champions, and were drawn in pool C, where they will face English clubs Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints, and French clubs Bayonne and Toulon.^[20]

Last 16

Player statistics

Player statistics from the 2023–24 season. Stats from competitive fixtures only are shown. Academy players in italics.

Pos	Player	Apps	Starts	Sub	Mins	Tries	Cons	Pens	Drops	Points	Yel	Red
PR	Stephen Archer	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Mark Donnelly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	George Hadden	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Dave Kilcoyne	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Keynan Knox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Jeremy Loughman	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Darragh McSweeney	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	John Ryan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Kieran Ryan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Roman Salanoa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Josh Wycherley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Diarmuid Barron	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Scott Buckley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Chris Moore	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Niall Scannell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Thomas Ahern	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Tadhg Beirne	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Edwin Edogbo	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Cian Hurley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Jean Kleyn	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Evan O'Connell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	RG Snyman	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Fineen Wycherley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Gavin Coombes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Jack Daly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Brian Gleeson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	John Hodnett	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Alex Kendellen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Jack O'Donoghue	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Daniel Okeke	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Peter O'Mahony	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Jack O'Sullivan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
BR	Ruadhán Quinn	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Craig Casey	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Ethan Coughlan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Neil Cronin	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Conor Murray	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Jack Oliver	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Paddy Patterson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FH	Tony Butler	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FH	Joey Carbery	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FH	Jack Crowley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FH	Dylan Hicks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Antoine Frisch	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Fionn Gibbons	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Alex Nankivell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Seán O'Brien	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Rory Scannell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Patrick Campbell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Andrew Conway	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Liam Coombes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Shane Daly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Keith Earls	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Mike Haley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Shay McCarthy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Calvin Nash	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Ben O'Connor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
B3	Simon Zebo	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

External links

• Official Munster website
• URC Munster
• EPCR Munster

Notes and References

1. Thomond Park's official capacity is 25,600 but can be expanded up to 26,276 with temporary seating.
2. News: Michael Carroll Elected Munster Rugby President. 9 June 2023. Munster Rugby. 12 June 2023.
3. News: Graham Rowntree Confirmed As Next Munster Head Coach. 12 April 2022. Munster Rugby. 12 April 2022.
4. News: Magical Munster see off Stormers to win URC title and end trophy drought. 27 May 2023. Irish Examiner. 27 May 2023.
5. News: Lawler to join Munster as skills coach next season in move from Connacht. 10 January 2023. The42. 24 March 2023.
6. News: New Role for Ian Costello. 26 January 2023. Munster Rugby. 29 April 2023.
7. News: Academy and Pathway Manager Appointed. 28 April 2023. Munster Rugby. 29 April 2023.
8. News: Munster tie down Patrick Campbell to new contract and add six underage stars to their academy. 23 June 2022. The42. 24 March 2023.
9. News: Player News Cian Hurley, Chris Moore & James French. 15 March 2023. Munster Rugby. 15 March 2023.
10. News: John Ryan in picture for World Cup squad with a second return to Munster announced. 31 January 2023. The42. 24 March 2023.
11. News: Munster sign Māori All Blacks and Chiefs centre as Kilcoyne and Archer extend contracts. 16 February 2023. The42. 24 March 2023.
12. News: New Signing Confirmed For Munster Rugby. 18 April 2023. Munster Rugby. 18 April 2023.
13. News: Munster Rugby Confirm Greencore Academy Squad For 2023/24. 7 June 2023. Munster Rugby. 7 June 2023.
14. News: Munster confirm Ben Healy will join Edinburgh at the end of the season. 4 January 2023. The42. 4 January 2023.
15. News: Malakai Fekitoa set to leave Munster for Benetton Rugby. 9 March 2023. The42. 10 March 2023.
16. News: Munster Rugby Departing Players Confirmed. 23 May 2023. Munster Rugby. 23 May 2023.
17. News: O'Connor signs for the Chiefs. 19 July 2023. Exeter Chiefs. 19 July 2023.
18. News: Keith Earls retires following World Cup exit. 14 October 2023. RTÉ Sport. 15 October 2023.
19. News: Top seeds Munster rewarded with favourable draw as Champions Cup pools revealed. 21 June 2023. Irish Examiner. 21 June 2023.
20. News: Munster Learn Champions Cup Opponents. 21 June 2023. Munster Rugby. 21 June 2023.
21. News: A World First For Munster Rugby And Crusaders. 29 June 2023. Munster Rugby. 29 June 2023.
22. News: Greig Oliver, Rest In Peace. 3 July 2023. Munster Rugby. 3 July 2023.
23. News: Report Munster Lose Out To Leinster In Pre-Season Opener. 8 September 2023. Munster Rugby. 9 September 2023.
24. News: Report Munster Win Against Connacht. 22 September 2023. Munster Rugby. 23 September 2023.
25. News: Report Munster Beat Barbarians In Try-Fest. 30 September 2023. Munster Rugby. 30 September 2023.
26. News: Munster v Barbarians Double-Header At Thomond Park. 22 May 2023. Munster Rugby. 22 May 2023.
27. Kleyn changed his World Rugby-recognised international affiliation to South Africa in June 2023.