Stephen Archer Set To Become Second Most-Capped Munster Player

19th May 2022 By The Editor

Stephen Archer is in line for a landmark appearance on Saturday. Inpho

Stephen Archer is set to make his 248th Munster appearance against Ulster on Friday night and move ahead of Billy Holland on the province’s all-time list of appearance holders.

Only Donncha O’Callaghan (268) has played more games for Munster than ‘Archie’ with the tighthead prop making his debut back almost 13 years ago.

A hugely popular Munster man, Archer has been a vital member of the squad since making his debut against Edinburgh at Murrayfield in October 2009.

He became the 11th player to reach the 200-cap milestone for Munster against Edinburgh at Musgrave in November 2019. To date, he has scored five tries in 247 appearances for the province, including a vital score in last month’s win over Ulster in Belfast.

Over the past six seasons, Archer has played 144 games for Munster and provided an ultra-reliable presence in the front row.

Stephen Archer and Billy Holland with fans at the Open Training Session at Irish Independent Park.

Stephen Archer and Billy Holland with supporters at an Open Training Session at Musgrave Park.

A Cork native and product of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy, Archer played schools rugby with CBC and has lined out for UCC and Cork Constitution in the All Ireland League.

In action for Cork Constitution in 2011.

He was an All Ireland League winner with Cork Con in 2010 and featured with the Ireland U20s before securing a development contract for 2010/11, moving on to a senior contract at the start of 2011/12.

His first European Cup appearance was off the bench against Castres in Thomond Park in January 2012, and he then went on to start for Ireland A against England in Sandy Park.

His first Irish senior cap came as a replacement against Italy in the 2013 Six Nations in Rome, with his second against Australia in the 2013 Guinness Series.

On international duty for Ireland against Australia in 2013.

He was part of the Emerging Ireland squad that won the 2015 Tblisi Cup in Georgia and won his 100th Munster cap against Dragons in March 2016. He then featured in Munster A’s British & Irish Cup-winning campaign in 2017.