Munster Rugby Squad Update
Munster Rugby Gears up for Exciting 2025/26 Season with New Signings and pre-Season Fixtures
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Munster Rugby is officially back in action, with players returning to the High Performance Center (HPC) to kick off preparations for the highly anticipated 2025/26 season. After a demanding 2024/25 campaign that concluded in the URC quarter-finals,the squad is refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
New Talent and Returning stars Bolster the Squad
The Red Army will be excited to see some fresh faces and familiar names integrated into the senior squad. New signings JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly, and Conor Ryan have already joined the team at the HPC. Lee Barron and Ireland international Michael Milne, who spent the latter part of last season on loan with Munster, have also made their moves permanent. Milne, fresh off earning his first two Ireland caps against Georgia and Portugal, will rejoin the squad later in the summer after his off-season commitments.
The future of Munster rugby looks bright with five players graduating from the Munster Rugby Academy to the senior squad: Fionn Gibbons, Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, and Kieran Ryan.
Several players who participated in Ireland’s summer tour have also returned to their off-seasons. Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Jack Crowley, Alex Kendellen, and Calvin Nash are all currently enjoying their well-deserved breaks after the second summer test in Portugal. Brian Gleeson, Diarmuid Kilgallen, and Evan O’Connell, who trained with the Ireland squad this summer, have returned to the HPC and commenced their pre-season training.
Meanwhile, Tadhg Beirne is currently on tour with the British and Irish Lions, showcasing his exceptional talent by winning the Player of the Match award in the first Test against Australia.
The Munster Rugby Academy members returned to the HPC last week to commence their preparations. Ireland U20 internationals Michael Foy, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue, Luke Murphy, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Eoghan Smyth, and Tom Wood have returned from Italy following the U20 World Championship and have now begun their off-seasons. Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue, Eoghan Smyth, and Tom Wood are the exciting new additions to the Academy this year. You can learn more about our new Academy recruits here.
key Pre-Season Fixtures Announced
Mark your calendars! Munster Rugby has confirmed two crucial pre-season fixtures to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming season:
Friday, September 5: Gloucester Rugby v Munster Rugby, Kingsholm, 7.30pm
Friday, September 12: Munster rugby v Bath Rugby, Virgin Media park, Cork, 7pm. Tickets for this home fixture are available here.
Argentina XV to Visit Thomond Park
Adding another exciting fixture to the calendar, Munster Rugby will host Argentina XV at Thomond Park on Saturday, November 1, with kick-off at 5pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to support the team at their iconic home ground. Tickets can be purchased here.
The squad is clearly building momentum, and with a blend of established talent and promising new faces, the 2025/26 season looks set to be a thrilling one for Munster Rugby.