Rugby News

Munster Rugby 2024 review: Head Coach departs and injury worries ahead of the New Year

December 31, 2024

IT’S been a turbulent year for Munster Rugby with the province unable to retain their URC crown following a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Glasgow Warriors and the departure of head coach Graham Rowntree in October, together with the province’s misfortune injury troubles throughout the year.

From the very start of 2024, with the inter-pro derby defeat at the hands of Connacht on New Year’s Day, it has been an uphill battle for the Munster men.

The province qualified for the last 16 stage of the Investec Champions Cup, before exiting at the hands of Northampton Saints, 14-24, at Franklin’s Gardens in April.

Despite the difficult start to this year Munster did emerge top of the URC table winning a total of 13 games out of 18 with only one draw and four losses throughout the season. This was the second season in a row that Munster emerged leaders of the URC league table.

Munster were fancied to reach a second successive URC final, but a battling Glasgow Warriors side put a stop to this dream, as they ran out 17-10 winners at Thomond Park. The Scottish side travelled down to South Africa for the URC final and were crowned champions with a thrilling 21-16 win over the Vodcom Bulls.

With a season ending loss for Munster came the inevitable departures of players from the club with fan favourite Simon Zebo calling time on his career. His departure from Munster was followed also by Joey Carbery, Antoine Frisch, Chris Moore, RG Snyman and Jack O’Sullivan.

Like the rest of the professional clubs competing in the URC and Champions Cup, Munster had to dust themselves off quickly from their semi-final defeat to focus on the new 2024/25 season which was fast approaching.

The club was bolstered by the arrivals of Thaakir Abrahams, Billy Burns, Tom Farrell and Diarmuid Kilgallen in the summer.

Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan, Mark Donnelly, Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson move up from the Academy having already made 52 senior appearances between them.

In addition to the below nine new signings, hooker Eoghan Clarke and prop Oli Jager joined the province mid-season last year and have made a big impact. Clarke has joined Munster until at least the summer of 2025 with Jager signing until 2027.

Munster started their URC season on a high with a narrow two-point victory over neighbours Connacht. This opening round win was overshadowed by a shock defeat to Zebre. Things did not improve for the province, gaining only one win out of the next four URC fixtures, the success coming in a 23-0 victory over Ospreys.

During this period head coach Graham Rowntree departed with Head of Operations Ian Costello stepping up as interim coach.

Contract extensions were also offered to attack coach Mike Prendergast, defence coach Denis Leamy as well as assistant attack coach and skills coach Mossy Lawler.

Munster were also bolstered by the introduction of Alex Codling as forwards coach consultant and Chris Boyd as performance consultant.

This brought Munster into the opening rounds of the Investec Champions Cup with a home victory over Stade Francais before a frustrating two-point defeat to Castres away, which also resulted in a huge amount of injuries including surgeries for Jean Kleyn, Craig Casey and Thaakir Abrahams.

The Christmas and New Year’s interprovincial derbies in the URC brought a mixed bag, with an exciting bonus point win away to Ulster in Belfast followed by a disappointing 28-7 loss to great rivals Leinster at Thomond Park on December 27.

It’s back to Champions Cup action on January 11 as Saracens visit Thomond Park. Munster’s season is very much at a crossroads as we head into 2025.

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