New Signing & Contract Extensions

16th February 2023 By The Editor

Alex Nankivell scores a try for the Chiefs against the Brumbies last year. Inpho

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm the signing of centre Alex Nankivell and contract extensions for tighthead prop Stephen Archer and loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne.

Nankivell will join the province on a two-year contract at the start of the 2023/24 season, making the move from New Zealand where he plays with Super Rugby side Gallagher Chiefs.

Alex Nankivell in action for the Chiefs against the Waratahs last April.

The 26-year-old, originally from Christchurch, has been a regular in the Chiefs’ midfield since 2017, making 58 appearances to date.

An impressive 2019 campaign saw him earn selection for the Māori All Blacks against Fiji and he also lined out for the side against an Ireland XV last summer. In November 2022 he was selected for the All Blacks XV that played Ireland ‘A’ and the Barbarians.

Front row duo Stephen Archer and Dave Kilcoyne have both put pen to paper on one-year extensions.

Between them, Archer and Kilcoyne have made 468 appearances for the province.

Munster’s second most-capped player of all time, Archer has made 255 appearances for the province since making his debut in October 2009.

The 35-year-old, who has also earned two Ireland caps, is an ultra-reliable presence in the front row and is 13 appearances short of equalling Donncha O’Callaghan’s record 268 Munster appearances.

Stephen Archer at Munster training on Tuesday.

Kilcoyne is in a rich vein of form and earned his 50th Ireland cap at the weekend with 213 Munster appearances to his name.

The 34-year-old made his Munster debut against Connacht in December 2011 and has overcome a difficult time with injuries to make 13 appearances so far this season.