Latest Player Contract News

Munster Rugby is pleased to confirm that Duncan Casey has signed a two-year contract extension, Greencore academy player Sean McCarthy has secured a one-year development contract and Ulster Rugby’s Sam Arnold will join the province on a two-year deal.

Ulster centre Sam Arnold has lined out on 11 occasions for the northern province with the 19-year-old most recently making his Champions Cup debut starting on the wing against Oyannax in Charles Mathon in January.
 
Arnold, who hails from England, made his PRO12 debut as an 18-year-old against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in March 2015 and completed the season as Ulster Rugby’s Academy Player of the Year.
 
A product of the Ireland Exiles, at Ireland U20s level the Ballynahinch clubman impressed throughout the 2014/15 campaign, starting in nine out of ten games at 6 Nations and World Championship level.
 
The young player will join the province at the start of the 2016/17 season.
 
On the retention front, Duncan Casey is the latest in a line of home-grown talent to secure their future with the province.
 
The 25-year-old has made 40 appearances for Munster, scoring 5 tries.
 
In securing a senior contract at the start of the 2013/14 season the Munster Academy graduate went on to make his senior debut against Perpignan in the European Cup at Thomond Park in December 2013.  A fortnight later the hooker made his first PRO12 appearance, starting against Scarlets in Irish Independent Park, and his breakthrough season also included game-time in both knock-out games of the European Cup, playing against Toulouse and Toulon.
 
The Corkman went on to make the number two jersey his own during the 2014/15 campaign.  In making 20 appearances he scored 4 tries and started in Munster’s six European Cup games, and was duly awarded Munster Rugby’s Young Player of the Year.
 
The Shannon clubman is currently rehabbing a pectoral muscle injury and is on course for a return to action in April.
 
Meanwhile, academy lock Sean McCarthy is the third up-and-coming player to advance to the senior squad next season, joining academy colleagues Rory Scannell and David Johnston in gaining promotion to the senior ranks.
 
The 22-year-old will commence a one-year development contract at the start of the 2016/17 season.
 
A native of Currow in Co. Kerry, McCarthy has made 12 appearances for Munster A in the British and Irish Cup and has started every game of this season’s campaign. 
 
The Shannon clubman represented the Ireland U20s on 7 occasions during the 2012/13 season.
 
Commenting on today’s contract news Head Coach Anthony Foley said, “Once again, today’s news speaks volumes about this group of players – they are committed to the province and are ambitious to achieve something together. 
 
“Although still young, Duncan is an experienced player and we look forward to seeing him make a full return from injury while with Sean it’s great to see another academy player make the step up.  We also look forward to welcoming Sam to the squad as he has shown to be an exciting prospect for the future.”