2023–24 Munster Rugby season

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.[2] Munster went into the season as the defending league champions, having defeated the Stormers in the final of the previous season.[3]

2023–24 Munster Rugby season
Ground(s)Thomond Park (Capacity: 25,600)[note 1]
Musgrave Park (Capacity: 8,800)
ChairmanGerry O'Shea
CEOIan Flanagan
PresidentMichael Carroll[1]
Coach(es)Graham Rowntree
Captain(s)Peter O'Mahony
League(s)United Rugby Championship
← 2022–23 2024–25 →

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.[4] Academy manager Ian Costello was promoted to the newly created position of head of rugby operations,[5] with Gearóid Prendergast, then-director of rugby at Young Munster, replacing him in the role.[6]

In players news, two players were promoted from the academy to the senior squad: back-three Patrick Campbell[7] and lock/back-row Cian Hurley.[8] Prop John Ryan returned to the province,[9] whilst Alex Nankivell, who was Ryan's teammate at the Chiefs, also joined the province.[10] Former Connacht centre Seán O'Brien joined the province from English club Exeter Chiefs.[11] 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.[12]

Fly-half Ben Healy, who won his first cap for Scotland during the 2023 Six Nations, left the province to join Edinburgh,[13] whilst centre Malakai Fekitoa also left to join Italian club Benetton.[14] 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,[15] and lock Eoin O'Connor joined English club Exeter Chiefs[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21]

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

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

Academy squad

Coaches and staff

Senior squad

Position Name Nationality
Head coach Graham Rowntree  England
Attack coach Mike Prendergast  Ireland
Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou  England
Defence coach Denis Leamy  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
Lead performance analyst and technical coach George Murray  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
Assistant academy physiotherapist Niall Kierse
Assistant academy physiotherapist Evan Regan

Players
For a full list of player movements before or during the 2023–24 season, see List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Senior squad
Munster Rugby senior squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Back three

(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.[26]

    Academy squad
    Munster Rugby academy squad

    Props

    • Ireland Mark Donnelly (3)
    • Ireland George Hadden (1)
    • Ireland Darragh McSweeney (2)
    • Ireland Kieran Ryan (2)

    Hookers

    • None at present

    Locks

    Back row

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    Back three

    • Ireland Shay McCarthy (1)
    • Ireland 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.[27][12]

      Pre-season
      8 September 2023
      18:00
      Munster Ireland12–33Ireland Leinster
      Report
      Musgrave Park
      Attendance: 8,400
      22 September 2023
      17:30
      Connacht Ireland19–24Ireland Munster
      Report
      The Sportsground
      30 September 2023
      16:30
      Munster Ireland52–35Barbarians
      Report
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 10,427

      Friendly
      3 February 2024
      17:00
      Munster IrelandvNew Zealand Crusaders
      Páirc Uí Chaoimh[20]

      2023–24 United Rugby Championship
      Main article: 2023–24 United Rugby Championship
      2023–24 United Rugby Championship
      Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
      1South Africa Bulls11006321+4293105
      2Scotland Glasgow Warriors11004325+1873105
      3Ireland Munster11003421+1353105
      4Ireland Connacht11003426+844105
      5Ireland Ulster11004036+466105
      6South Africa Stormers11003533+245105
      7Scotland Edinburgh11002217+512004
      8Italy Benetton11002322+123004
      9South Africa Lions10013335–254112
      10Italy Zebre Parma10013640–466112
      11Wales Cardiff10012223–132011
      12Wales Dragons10011722–521011
      13Wales Ospreys10012634–844101
      14South Africa Sharks10012134–1335000
      15Ireland Leinster10012543–1837000
      16Wales Scarlets10012163–4239000
      If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[28]
      1. number of matches won;
      2. the difference between points for and points against;
      3. the number of tries scored;
      4. the most points scored;
      5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
      6. the fewest red cards received;
      7. the fewest yellow cards received.
      Green background indicates teams that are play-off places and earn a place in the 2024–25 European Champions Cup

      Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup.
      Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

        2023–24 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield Pools
        Ireland Irish Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
        1Ireland Connacht000000000000
        2Ireland Leinster000000000000
        3Ireland Munster000000000000
        4Ireland Ulster000000000000
        Italy Scotland Scottish/Italian Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
        1Italy Benetton000000000000
        2Scotland Edinburgh000000000000
        3Scotland Glasgow Warriors000000000000
        4Italy Zebre Parma000000000000
        South Africa South African Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
        1South Africa Stormers11003533+245105
        2South Africa Lions10013335–254112
        3South Africa Bulls000000000000
        4South Africa Sharks000000000000
        Wales Welsh Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts
        1Wales Cardiff000000000000
        2Wales Dragons000000000000
        3Wales Ospreys000000000000
        4Wales Scarlets000000000000
        If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[29]
        1. number of matches won
        2. the difference between points for and points against
        3. the number of tries scored
        4. the most points scored
        5. the difference between tries for and tries against
        6. the fewest red cards received
        7. the fewest yellow cards received
        Green background indicates teams currently leading the regional shield. Upon the conclusion of the regular season, these teams win their respective regional shields.

          Round 1
          21 October 2023
          17:15
          Munster IrelandvSouth Africa Sharks
          Thomond Park

          Round 2
          29 October 2023
          14:00
          Benetton ItalyvIreland Munster
          Stadio Monigo

          Round 3
          4 November 2023
          17:15
          Munster IrelandvWales Dragons
          Musgrave Park

          Round 4
          10 November 2023
          19:35
          Ulster IrelandvIreland Munster
          Kingspan Stadium

          Round 5
          18 November 2023
          17:15
          Munster IrelandvSouth Africa Stormers
          Thomond Park

          Round 6
          25 November 2023
          18:30
          Leinster IrelandvIreland Munster
          Aviva Stadium

          Round 7
          1 December 2023
          19:35
          Munster IrelandvScotland Glasgow Warriors
          Musgrave Park

          Round 8
          26 December 2023
          19:35
          Munster IrelandvIreland Leinster
          Thomond Park

          Round 9
          1 January 2024
          19:35
          Connacht IrelandvIreland Munster
          The Sportsground

          Round 10
          16 February 2024
          19:35
          Scarlets WalesvIreland Munster
          Parc y Scarlets

          Round 11
          1 March 2024
          19:35
          Munster IrelandvItaly Zebre Parma
          Musgrave Park

          Round 12
          22 March 2024
          19:35
          Ospreys WalesvIreland Munster
          Swansea.com Stadium

          Round 13
          30 March 2024
          19:35
          Munster IrelandvWales Cardiff
          Thomond Park

          Round 14
          20 April 2024
          16:05
          Bulls South AfricavIreland Munster
          Loftus Versfeld Stadium

          Round 15
          27 April 2024
          16:00
          Lions South AfricavIreland Munster
          Emirates Airline Park

          Round 16
          11 May 2024
          17:15
          Munster IrelandvIreland Connacht
          Thomond Park

          Round 17
          17 May 2024
          19:35
          Edinburgh ScotlandvIreland Munster
          DAM Health Stadium

          Round 18
          1 June 2024
          17:15
          Munster IrelandvIreland Ulster
          Thomond Park

          2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup
          Main article: 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.[19]

          2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup Pool C
          Team
          		 P W D L PF PA Diff TF TA TB LB Pts
          Ireland Munster 000000000000
          France Bayonne 000000000000
          Scotland Glasgow Warriors 000000000000
          England Exeter Chiefs 000000000000
          France Toulon 000000000000
          England Northampton Saints 000000000000
          Green background (rows 1 to 4) indicates qualification places for the Champions Cup round of 16.
          Blue background (row 5) indicates qualification place for the Challenge Cup round of 16.
          Plain background (row 6) indicates elimination from 2023–24 European competition.
          Starting table — source: European Professional Club Rugby

          Round 1
          9 December 2023
          17:30
          Munster IrelandvFrance Bayonne
          Thomond Park

          Round 2
          17 December 2023
          13:00
          Exeter Chiefs EnglandvIreland Munster
          Sandy Park

          Round 3
          13 January 2024
          15:15
          Toulon FrancevIreland Munster
          Stade Mayol

          Round 4
          20 January 2024
          17:30
          Munster IrelandvEngland Northampton Saints
          Thomond Park

          2023–24 Munster A/Development season
          15 September 2023
          15:00
          Munster Development XV Ireland21–17Ireland Ulster Development XV
          Report
          University of Limerick
          22 September 2023
          13:00
          Connacht Eagles Ireland45–31Ireland Munster A
          Report
          The Sportsground

          Player statistics

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

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

          Notes
          1. Thomond Park's official capacity is 25,600 but can be expanded up to 26,276 with temporary seating.
          2. Kleyn changed his World Rugby-recognised international affiliation to South Africa in June 2023.
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