Archer Set For 100
4th March 2016 By Munster Rugby
Following his inclusion in Head Coach Anthony Foley’s side to face Dragons this weekend, Munster prop and product of the academy system, Stephen Archer, is the latest player in line to win his 100th cap for the province.
In doing so, Archer joins teammates Tomás O'Leary, Denis Hurley, Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland, Keith Earls, Tommy O'Donnell, Ian Keatley, BJ Botha and Duncan Williams in reaching the milestone in the red jersey.
A Cork native and past pupil of Christian Brothers College, Cork, as a 21-year-old he made his competitive debut for the province away to Edinburgh at Murrayfield in October 2009 and, impressing from the bench, Archer made his first start at Thomond Park a week later, playing the full-80 in a comprehensive 24-10 victory over Ulster.
Securing a development contract for the 2010/11 season, the following year he progressed to his first full contract and made his Heineken Cup debut off the bench against Castres at Thomond Park in January 2012.
That same month saw him start alongside his Munster teammate Damien Varley for Ireland Wolfhounds against England Saxons and a 23-17 defeat on that day was avenged in January 2014 when Archer made an immediate impact from the bench as Ireland Wolfhounds earned a hard-fought 8-14 victory at Kingsholm.
In between, the Cork Con clubman won his first Irish senior cap as a replacement against Italy in the 2013 Six Nations in Rome, however soon after, a wrist injury sustained in PRO12 action against Dragons saw him finish out the season on the sidelines.
Rehabbing well and making a good start to the 2013/14 season, Archer was called into new Head Coach Joe Schmidt's first Irish squad for the Guinness Autumn Series where he earned his second test cap against Australia.
Signing a three year contract extension with the province in December 2014, the tighthead has remained one of Munster’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, playing 27 of 30 games last season, of which his immense effort in last year’s PRO12 semi-final against Ospreys was the standout performance.
His good form was also recognised in international circles with Archer winning inclusion in the Emerging Ireland squad that won the 2015 Tblisi Cup in Georgia last summer.
After undergoing surgery for a neck injury sustained in October's PRO12 clash with Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park, the 28-year-old has spent the past five months working hand-in-hand with Munster medical staff in successfully rehabbing his injury and is finally in line to achieve his 100th cap this Saturday in Thomond Park.
