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] 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[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
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
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

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

    Hookers

    • None at present

    Locks

    Back row

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    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.[27][12]

      Pre-season
      8 September 2023
      18:00
      Munster 12–33 Leinster
      Report
      Musgrave Park
      Attendance: 8,400
      22 September 2023
      17:30
      Connacht 19–24 Munster
      Report
      The Sportsground
      30 September 2023
      16:30
      Munster 52–35Barbarians
      Report
      Thomond Park
      Attendance: 10,427

      Friendly
      3 February 2024
      17:00
      Munster 21-19 Crusaders
      Report[28]
      Páirc Uí Chaoimh[20]
      Attendance: 40,885
      Referee: Chris Busby
      23 February 2024
      19:45
      Harlequins v Munster
      Twickenham Stoop

      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 TB LB Pts
      1 Munster 181314483318+165653811368
      2 Bulls (RU) 181305639433+206855411366
      3 Leinster 181305554350+204814311265
      4 Glasgow Warriors (CH) 181305519353+166763511265
      5 Stormers 181206468348+12058457459
      6 Ulster 181107437409+2853555554
      7 Benetton 181116411400+1151566254
      8 Ospreys 181008414449–3553538250
      9 Lions 18909526398+12867508650
      10 Edinburgh 181107416397+1947523249
      11 Connacht 18909404432–2851574545
      12 Cardiff 184113384410–26505141032
      13 Scarlets 185013313575–26237774327
      14 Sharks 184014343431–8847553625
      15 Dragons 183015300611–31136841316
      16 Zebre Parma 181116345643–29842944515
      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 that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2024–25 European Champions Cup

      Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup
      Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2023–24 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2024–25 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
      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
        Irish Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
        1 Leinster640212993+36181022203rd
        2 Ulster6402130126+4141802186th
        3 Munster6204118109+9141123131st
        4 Connacht6204104153–491320021011th
        Scottish/Italian Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
        1 Glasgow Warriors650115985+7424531244th
        2 Benetton6402143111+32181530197th
        3 Edinburgh6303121124–31516111410th
        4 Zebre Parma6006106209–103103102216th
        South African Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
        1 Bulls6501185110+75241241252nd
        2 Stormers65011531530171920225th
        3 Lions6204155147+8191823139th
        4 Sharks600688171–83112203314th
        Welsh Shield
        Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
        1 Ospreys6501147103+44211040248th
        2 Scarlets6303124132–81615311613th
        3 Cardiff6204169150+192121241412th
        4 Dragons620491146–5592101915th
        If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[30]
        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.

        (S) : URC Shield champion

          Round 1
          21 October 2023
          17:15
          (1 BP) Munster 34–21 Sharks
          Try: Edogbo 20'
          Barron 25'
          Frisch 40'
          Conway 66'
          Coughlan 77'
          Con: Carbery (3) 21' 26' 41'
          Pen: Carbery 44'          		Report[31]Try: Kok 37'
          Janse van Rensburg 47'
          Fassi 81'
          Con: Bosch (3) 38' 48' 81'
          Thomond Park
          Attendance: 11,239
          Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi

          Round 2
          29 October 21023
          15:00
          Benetton 13–13 Munster
          Try: Smith 36'
          Con: Umaga 37'
          Pen: Umaga (2) 9' 15'          		Report[32]Try: Ahern 79'
          Con: Carbery 80'
          Pen: Carbery (2) 13' 73'
          Stadio Comunale di Monigo
          Attendance: 5,000
          Referee: Morné Ferreira

          Round 3
          4 November 2023
          17:15
          (1 BP) Munster 45—14 Dragons
          Try: R. Scannell 13'
          G. Coombes 17'
          Nash (2) 21' 73'
          Ahern 47'
          Casey 53'
          Gleeson
          Con: Butler (4) 15' 48' 54' 65'
          Crowley 74'          		Report[33]Try: R. Woodman 35'
          Seiuli 80'
          Con: Reed (2) 36 81'
          Musgrave Park
          Referee: Sam Grove-White

          Round 4
          10 November 2023
          19:35
          Ulster 21-14 Munster
          Try: Stockdale 26'
          Timoney 67'
          Con: Doak 68'
          Pen: Doak (3) 13' 46' 63'          		Report[34]Try: Casey (2) 7' 17'
          Con: Crowley (2) 8' 19'
          Kingspan Stadium
          Attendance: 14,960
          Referee: Frank Murphy

          Round 5
          18 November 2023
          17:15
          Munster 10-3 Stormers
          Try: Edogbo 39'
          Con: Crowley 40'
          Pen: Crowley 14'          		Report[35]Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 45'
          Thomond Park
          Attendance: 15,045
          Referee: Sam Grove-White

          Round 6
          25 November 2023
          18:30
          Leinster 21-16 Munster (1 BP)
          Try: Gibson-Park 24'
          Sheehan 34'
          Larmour 65'
          Con: Frawley (3) 25' 35' 66'          		Report[36]Try: Casey 5'
          Con: Crowley 6'
          Pen: Crowley 13' 52' 73'
          Aviva Stadium
          Attendance: 49,246
          Referee: Chris Busby

          Round 7
          1 December 2023
          19:35
          (1 BP) Munster 40-29 Glasgow Warriors
          Try: Edogbo 7'
          Ahern (2) 12' , 36'
          Barron 15'
          Nankivell 48'
          Hodnett 64'
          Con: Crowley (5) 7', 16', 37', 49', 65'          		Report[37]Try: Vailanu 26'
          Matthews 41'
          Darge 54'
          Penalty try 61'
          Fraser 78'
          Con: Weir 78'
          Musgrave Park
          Attendance: 8,400
          Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

          Round 8
          26 December 2023
          19:35
          (1 BP) Munster 3-9 Leinster
          Pen: Crowley 51'Report [38]Pen: H. Byrne (3) 1', 15', 80'
          Thomond Park
          Attendance: 25,600
          Referee: Andrew Brace

          Round 9
          1 January 2024
          15:00
          Connacht 22-9 Munster
          Try: Aungier 77'
          Con: Hanrahan 78'
          Pen: Hanrahan (5) 16' 45' 59' 66' 71'          		Report[39]Pen: Butler (3) 22' 31' 57'
          Galway Sportsgrounds
          Attendance: 7,240
          Referee: Chris Busby

          Round 10
          16 February 2024
          19:35
          Scarlets 7-42 Munster (1 BP)
          Try: Roberts 49'
          Con: Titcombe 50'          		Report[40]Try: Coombes (2) 10' 23'
          O'Sullivan 62'
          Ahern 65'
          O'Brien 72'
          McCarthy 76'
          Con: Carbery (6) 11' 24' 62' 66' 73' 77'
          Parc y Scarlets
          Attendance: 7,039
          Referee: Ian Kenny

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          Round 18
          1 June 2024
          17:15
          Munster v 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
          Northampton Saints (3) 440013775+6218102018
          Exeter Chiefs (8) 43018799–1213141013
          Glasgow Warriors (12) 42027763+141281110
          Munster (14) 4112939301310219
          Bayonne (9CC) 411282107–251116118
          Toulon 40046099–39716022
          Green background (rows 1 to 2) indicates qualification places for a home Champions Cup round of 16.
          Blue background (rows 3 to 4) indicates other teams qualified for the Champions Cup round of 16.
          Yellow 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 17-17 Bayonne
          Try: McCarthy 9"
          Coombes 19'
          Con: Crowley (2) 10' 19'
          Pen: Crowley 54'          		Report[41]Try: Tagi 46'
          Baget 75'
          Con: Machenaud 47'
          Dolhagaray 76'
          Pen: Machenaud 4'
          Thomond Park
          Attendance: 18.908
          Referee: Luke Pearce

          Round 2
          17 December 2023
          13:00
          (1 BP) Exeter Chiefs 32-24 Munster (1 BP)
          Try: Frost 15'
          Vintcent 62'
          Dunne 64'
          Slade 78'
          Con: Slade (3) 16' 63' 65'
          Pen: Slade (2) 26' 45'          		Report[42]Try: Nash 6'
          Ahern 22'
          Frisch 36'
          Daly 49'
          Con: Crowley (2) 7' 37'
          Sandy Park
          Attendance: 13,634
          Referee: Mathieu Raynal

          Round 3
          13 January 2024
          15:15
          Toulon 18-29 Munster (1 BP)
          Try: Paia'aua 22'
          du Preez 53'
          Con: Jaminet 23'
          Pen: Jaminet (2) 15' 34'          		Report[43]Try: Nankivell 30'
          Zebo 36'
          Ahern 46'
          Nash 59'
          Con: Crowley (3) 31' 37' 60'
          Pen: Crowley 27'
          Stade Mayol
          Attendance: 15,248
          Referee: Nika Amashukeli

          Round 4
          20 January 2024
          17:30
          (1 BP) Munster 23-26 Northampton Saints
          Try: Frisch 37'
          O'Mahony 40 + 1'
          Coombes 48'
          Con: Crowley 38'
          Pen: Crowley (2) 31' 63'          		Report[44]Try: Mitchell 18'
          Graham 70'
          Con: Smith (2) 18' 71'
          Pen: Smith (3) 42' 55' 66'
          Drop: Smith 59'
          Thomond Park
          Attendance: 24,620
          Referee: Tual Trainini

          Last 16
          7 April 2024
          12:30
          Northampton Saints v Munster
          cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens

          2023–24 Munster A/Development season
          15 September 2023
          15:00
          Munster Development XV 21–17 Ulster Development XV
          Report
          University of Limerick
          22 September 2023
          13:00
          Connacht Eagles 45–31 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. "Munster Edge Past Crusaders At Páirc Uí Chaoimh"
          29. League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
          30. League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
          31. "Joey Carbery on song as Munster beat Hollywoodbets Sharks", United Rugby, 21 October 2023
          32. "Last-minute Tom Ahern try snatches draw for Munster", United Rugby, 29 October 2023
          33. "Munster climb to top of URC table after big win over Dragons", United Rugby, 4 November 2023
          34. "Ulster end Munster's unbeaten start to URC season", United Rugby, 10 November 2023
          35. "United Rugby Championship: Munster secure hard-fought 10-3 win over Stormers", BBC Sport, 18 November 2023
          36. "Leinster get better of arch-rivals Munster", United Rugby Championship, 25 November 2023
          37. "6-Try Munster Beat URC Leaders Glasgow in Cork", Munster Rugby, 1 December 2023
          38. "Harry Byrne boots Leinster to victory over Munster", United Rugby, 26 December 2023
          39. "JJ Hanrahan boots Connacht to victory over Munster", United Rugby, 1 January 2024
          40. "Munster power to bonus-point victory over Scarlets", United Rugby, 16 February 2024
          41. "Bayonne Snatch Draw at Thomond, Munster Rugby, 9 December 2023
          42. "Munster Fall to Defeat in Exeter", Munster Rugby, 17 December 2023
          43. "Famous Munster Win in Toulon", Munster Rugby, 13 January 2024
          44. "Munster Fall to Defeat at Thomond Park", Munster Rugby, 20 January 2024

          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.
          This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.