Munster Rugby re-sign Simon Zebo

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that Simon Zebo has signed a one-year contract to return to play with the province for the 2021/22 season.

This co-funded contract will see Munster’s all-time record try-scorer return from Racing 92 and line out for his home club where he made 144 appearances and scored 60 tries between 2010 and 2018.

Now in his third season with the Top 14 side, the 31-year-old has played 55 times and scored 21 tries to date.

Head Coach Johann van Graan said, "The opportunity to bring Simon back to Munster came about in early April following a final review of our squad’s budgetary position for season-end and with assistance from the IRFU to support what we believe is a really good deal for Munster and Irish Rugby.

"Simon’s desire to return to Ireland and play with his home club is illustrated by his willingness to sign at a level below his market value elsewhere. This has made bringing the province’s all-time leading try-scorer back home possible."

Simon Zebo said, "I am thrilled and honoured to be coming back home to play for Munster. My family and I have been so lucky to have enjoyed three incredible years with Racing 92 in Paris and I cannot thank the team there enough, I really have made friends for life and take with me some brilliant memories.

"However, as everyone knows, Munster holds a very special place in my heart and I’ve always said that I wanted to play for them and potentially Ireland again, so when this opportunity arose the lure of being close to home, family and friends and Munster fans, it outweighed all other options.

"I cannot wait to get back to the HPC with the team and hopefully a packed Thomond Park."

Ian Costello Appointed Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Manager

Also Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed that Ian Costello has been appointed to the role of Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Manager.

Costello returns to the province after working in England for the past five years. Since 2018 he has held the role of Defence Coach with Wasps Rugby and prior to joining the Premiership side he was the Head Coach of Championship club Nottingham Rugby.

With a wealth of experience across numerous coaching roles, Ian initially worked with the province’s academy in 2006 when carrying out his role of IRFU Elite Player Development Officer for two years.

Over the same period, he worked with UL Bohemian RFC in the roles of Head Coach and Director of Rugby and was instrumental in developing the club’s academy programme.

A former Munster U20s Coach, he assumed the role of Munster A Head Coach in 2011 and led the province to a British and Irish Cup title in 2012, and was promoted to Assistant Coach with the senior squad in 2014.

Costello will commence his role in July on completion of the current season with Wasps Rugby.

Commenting on the appointment Ian Costello said, "My family and I have had an incredible experience in the UK over the last five years at Nottingham and Wasps, but we are very excited for an opportunity to return home and once again work with Munster and the IRFU.

"I would particularly like to thank Wasps for the support and understanding they have shown me and my family. I am deeply passionate about Munster and Irish rugby and look forward to the challenge and responsibility of being part of developing the elite player pathway in Munster."

Peter Smyth, IRFU Head of Elite Player Development, said, "Ian is returning to Munster having accumulated knowledge and experience in other rugby environments and is a quality appointment for the Munster Academy. He comes into the role at a time where there are huge opportunities for the development of the elite player pathway in Munster."

Greencore Munster Rugby Academy

Fifteen players commenced the 2020/21 season with two additional players, Cian Hurley and Conor Phillips, joining in January ’21.

Nine players from the current group will advance to senior contracts ahead of the 2021/22 season – Thomas Ahern, Jack Crowley, Jack Daly, Jake Flannery, James French, Seán French, Ben Healy, John Hodnett and Josh Wycherley.

Eoghan Clarke has completed his time with the academy and linked up with Championship side Jersey Reds at the end of March.

Seven academy players made their Guinness PRO14 debuts this season – Thomas Ahern, Jack Crowley, Jack Daly, Seán French, Cian Hurley, Alex Kendellen and Josh Wycherley. Young prop Wycherley also made his Champions Cup debut this season.

Out-half Ben Healy leads the way with senior appearances on the Academy front this season having featured in 14 of Munster’s 20 games, scoring 77 points.

On the injury front, Eoin O’Connor (knee), John Hodnett (achilles), James French (hamstring), Jonathan Wren (hamstring), and Scott Buckley (knee) are following respective rehabilitation programmes while Thomas Ahern requires further assessment for a knee injury.

66% – The future continues to be bright with an expected highest representation of academy graduates in over eight years in the squad next season.