Boost for Munster as province announce six new contracts

Munster have announced that six players have signed new contracts with the Irish province.

The news represents a huge boost to Munster following their failure to quality for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Stephen Archer, Dan Goggin and Liam O’Connor have all signed contract extensions, while Academy players Liam Coombes, Alex McHenry and Jack O’Sullivan will be promoted to the senior ranks at the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

All six players have advanced from the provincial pathway.

Archer, 31, is one of just 11 players to have played more than 200 games for the province, having made his debut against Edinburgh in October 2009.

Archer's 29 appearances for Munster last season was more than any other player in the squad. He has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with Munster until at least June 2022.

Goggin, 25, has made 55 appearances and scored seven tries for Munster.

The versatile back was also Munster's Young Player of the Year last season, and has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2022.

O’Connor has also put committed to a two-year extension. The 24-year-old prop has made 26 appearances since making his debut against Stade Francais in January 2016.

In advancing from his final year of the Munster Academy, Jack O’Sullivan will make the step up to the senior ranks next year after signing a three-year contract.

A cousin of senior team regulars Rory and Niall Scannell, O'Sullivan has made five competitive appearances for the province, including a Champions Cup debut against Ospreys last week.

Liam Coombes, a cousin of first team player Gavin, will also move up to a senior contract next season.

The winger made an impressive try-scoring debut against Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in November 2018 and has made four appearances at senior level. The 22-year-old has signed a one-year contract with the province.

Finally, Alex McHenry will also progress to the senior squad. The centre made his Guinness PRO14 debut away to Benetton last April and has signed a one-year contract.

Head Coach Johann van Graan said: “Getting these six contracts confirmed is really great news for the province.

"Stephen, Dan, both Liams, Jack and Alex are hugely talented players, and as a result of the work carried out at club and schools level, we get to reap the benefits every time they pull on a red jersey.”

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