LAST UPDATE | 2 Dec 2024
ALEX NANKIVELL HAS signed a two-year extension to his Munster contract, keeping him at the province until at least 2027.
The province have also confirmed that Stephen Archer has signed a contract extension to the end of the current season.
Nankivell has made a strong impression since joining from the Chiefs in 2023, establishing himself as a key member of the squad.
Nankivell, 28, scored three tries across 19 appearances in his debut season and has now played 22 games for Munster.
The New Zealand centre previously represented the Maori All Blacks before moving to Ireland.
Tighthead prop Archer is Munster’s most-capped player of all time, have represented the province 290 times to date.
The 36-year-old is in his 16th season with Munster, having debuted in 2009.
In other news, Munster captain Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Peter O’Mahony have all returned to the province following the conclusion of Ireland’s autumn international campaign.
Munster are at home to Stade Francais on Saturday as the new Champions Cup season kicks-off.
Nankivell (hip), Shane Daly (leg) and Thaakir Abrahams (thigh) are all available after returning from injury in Saturday’s URC win against the Lions, where Mike Haley was removed as a precaution having passed all HIA tests.
Jean Kleyn will not be involved as he continues to rehab a neck injury, while Oli Jager is nearing a return to full training as he steps up his recovery from a neck problem.
Liam Coombes (leg) made his return for Munster A last Friday and came through the game with no issues.
Edwin Edogbo (Achilles) is targeting a return to training in the New Year.
There was no fresh update on Seán O’Brien (leg), Diarmuid Kilgallen (wrist), Jeremy Loughman (hip), Josh Wycherley (neck), Mark Donnelly (ankle), Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles) or Roman Salanoa (knee).
Great news. He’s a quality player.
@Eagle Eye: Has been excellent for us. Concerned though that we are giving a 2 year contract to a player who’ll be 37 in January. Says something about what’s coming through our academy in recent years. Ryan is only 7 months younger.
@TL55: You’re probably mixing up Nanks and Archer. Nanks is getting the 2 year contract and is (just) 28. Archer just extended to the end of this season (assuming the article is correct)
@Kevin Ryan: decent reply rather than jumping on the honest mistake like a hungry Rottweiler as others might do. My faith in humanity is restored. :)
Great bit of business, himself and Farrell have looked formidable this year, how connacht let Farrell go, I’ll never know
@Cian Halley: they didn’t let him go, he refused to sign a new contract. Don’t forget Connacht have a fraction of the revenue the other three provinces have
@anthony davoren: and munster could only offer him what connaught were offering him. so if he was offered a contract at connaught, he chose munster over connaught.
@Niall English: it’s Connacht and they didn’t offer him one
@Niall English: he would have to contend against Aki, Forde, Hawkshaw, Piers O’Conor, Hugh Gavin, John Devine and Byron Ralston at a pinch, whereas at Munster he is pretty much guaranteed a start if fit…closest competition for outside centre being SOB. Given centre isn’t a position Connacht is weak in, I wouldn’t have been surprised if the IRFU would have encouraged Farrell to move, ala when they encouraged Cooney to move North when he was stuck behind Marmion. I’m glad he has been able to be injury free – he was an amazing player for us, and his centre combination with Aki was probably the best in the league for a while, but he was out injured so often. I remember him being signed from Bedford Blues the same week Munster extended Taute’s contract – over seven years ago.
@eilryan@live.ie: To the best of my knowledge Cooney’s move north was precipitated by himself and his desire to show what he was capable of. I’m not sure of any role the IRFU played, apart from ultimately agreeing to the contract.
Hopefully Edogbo can get some luck with injuries, that’s a nasty one and will be tested come scrum time. Super prospect, fingers crossed for him Munster and Ireland-definitely has the athleticism for int rugby.
@Dean Harper: He was doing well last season before the injury. Looking forward to seeing the Edogbo brothers, Ahern, Quinn and Gleeson part of the same match day squad.
@Andrew: Potentially a very tasty back 5 of a pack alright. Exciting times for a Munster fan.
Fine player good news
Delighted with that news. He’s been a super signing
Is he eligible for Ireland
@Gary Galligan: No sure he is a west brit
@Gary Galligan: He doesn’t have any caps so in theory he is a project but he will be 32 by the time he is eligible to play for Ireland in the Autumn Internationals of 2028! Not much point in that.
@Gary Galligan: last time I looked, centre wasn’t exactly a problem position for Ireland.