Munster

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

After what he called a "special day" in La Rochelle on Saturday, Munster's head of rugby operations Ian Costello said the province are targeting three more such occasions in the Investec Champions Cup this season.

The 25-24 win over Ronan O'Gara's side in the last-16 stage set up a quarter-final away to Bordeaux-Begles this Saturday and Costello wants to ensure that the win in La Rochelle is not viewed as a "cup final" for the group.

"The reality is now we want to have three more days like this," he said after the dramatic win in the Stade Marcel-Deflandre.

"You take one game at a time, but there's no point in this being our cup final. It would nearly disrespect what the club have done.

"We've three matches left to have a crack at winning a trophy."

Costello praised the visiting Munster supporters who travelled to La Rochelle in huge numbers

"I went down to meet a few friends just to get out of the hotel for an hour and it was shivers down your neck stuff," he said.

"I hadn't seen anything like that for a long, long time.

"That set the tone. What it means to our supporters.

"There was talk of 2,000 [Munster fans] here, there were way more than 2,000."

With only seven days between visits to France, it is unlikely the Munster support will travel in such numbers to the Stade Chaban-Delmas this weekend, although Costello is sure some will try.

"There'll be kids' piggybanks raided," he joked.

"There'll be people here, that's the magic of it.

"There's people that would prefer not to go on summer holidays to get two weekends like this. That's what's special about the club."

Image source, Getty Images

Munster flanker Peter O'Mahony could face La Rochelle in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup this weekend after returning from injury.

The Irish province will face the two-time champions at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday (17:30 BST), with the French side coached by Munster legend Ronan O'Gara.

O'Mahony missed the side's win over Connacht on Saturday and has not played since his final Test appearance for Ireland in their Six Nations victory against Italy last month.

The 35-year-old has not featured for Munster since their Champions Cup loss to Northampton Saints in January, but a statement from the province said his availability for Saturday will be determined "based on how he gets through the week's training".

Against Connacht, Irish international scrum-half Craig Casey was playing for the first time since knee surgery in December and the 25-year-old came through the game unscathed.

Forwards Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn and Niall Scannell also returned from injury in the inter-provincial derby and are fit to face La Rochelle.

Flanker John Hodnett was forced off with a thigh contusion in Castlebar, however, and is a doubt for the game.

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Connacht and Munster welcome back Irish internationals for the United Rugby Championship interprovincial showdown at MacHale Park on Saturday (14:30 GMT).

The hosts bring in Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and captain Cian Prendergast for what will be the first time a professional Connacht game is held in County Mayo, and the first time rugby is played at the Castlebar venue in its 95-year history.

The Ireland quartet are among seven Connacht changes from the 43-40 defeat by Ospreys in Wales.

Chay Mullins, Jordan Duggan and Sean Jansen also come into the starting XV.

Munster have three Irish internationals back in their side as Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash return.

The visitors are also boosted by the return of Oli Jager and Craig Casey from injury as they make five changes from the 28-25 defeat by Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

Munster sit sixth in the standings and three points above 12th-placed Connacht.

Connacht: Hansen; Mullins, Gavin, Aki, Treacy; Ioane, Blade; Duggan, Heffernan, Bealham; Joyce, Murray, Prendergast (capt), Hurley-Langton, Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Buckley, Aungier, Murphy, Boyle, Devine, Hanrahan, Cordero.

Munster: O'Connor; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, O'Brien; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Barron, Jager; Wycherley, Beirne (capt); Ahern, Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: N Scannell, Wycherley, Archer, Kleyn, Quinn, Murray, R Scannell, Kendellen.

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Conor Murray spoke to reporters on Thursday following confirmation that he will retire from Ireland duty at the end of the Six Nations.

Five-time Six Nations winners Murray, Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy will all end their Test careers after Ireland's game against Italy in Rome on 15 March.

"[It was] a very difficult decision," Murray told reporters on Thursday.

"Particularly to leave a group like this. The thing I'll be most jealous of is that this group will continue on and be successful, but personally, it's a hard decision to make. It's been in my head for a while and it just feels right.

"I've been lucky and grateful to be part of this Irish set-up. It's sad, it'll be emotional but I've seen so many players not get to end it on their terms, career cut short.

"The fact I get to do it on my own terms when I'm fit and healthy is something very few people get to do, so I'm very grateful."

While O'Mahony and Healy will retire from rugby at the end of the season, Murray will continue his playing career abroad when his Munster deal expires this summer.

"Nothing," Murray smiled when asked what he could disclose about the move.

"We'll see in terms of playing, I'll play another year somewhere for my family, they've been incredible, my wife Joanna and my son Alfie, especially Joanna over the last few years, the sacrifices she's made.

"As a family, we'll go away and maybe do something for a year and enjoy ourselves for a lifestyle change. Body wise, I still feel great, I still feel I can play rugby at a high level.

"Nothing is set in stone yet but it'll be nice for us, let the dust settle on retiring in this country and go away and have an experience and come back to the real world then."

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New Zealander Clayton McMillan will become Munster's new head coach this summer with the Chiefs boss signing a three-year deal at Thomond Park.

The Irish province have been under the interim control of Ian Costello since Graham Rowntree departed in October.

Costello will now move into a newly created general manager position with attack coach Mike Prendergast becoming senior coach.

McMillan, who will arrive in July, became head coach at the Chiefs in 2021 and guided the side to three Super Rugby finals in four seasons.

He has also coached the Maori All Blacks and an All Blacks XV.

"I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead Munster, an iconic club steeped in history," he told the province's official website.

"Leading the All Blacks XV against Munster last year gave me insight into the immense pride and passion of the club's players, staff and wider rugby community. It was an incredible atmosphere and left a lasting impression.

"I am excited by the club's ambition and core values. They align strongly with my own, and I look forward to joining the team in July."

Munster are fifth in the United Rugby Championship and face La Rochelle in the Champions Cup last-16 in April.

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Munster have announced the signings of Leinster front-rowers Michael Milne and Lee Barron on two-year deals.

Loose-head prop Milne, 25, and hooker Barron, 23, will switch Irish provinces at the end of the season.

Milne has scored 12 tries in 47 appearances for Leinster since making his debut as an Academy player in 2019.

He represented Emerging Ireland in 2022 and has twice been called up to train with the Ireland senior squad.

Barron represented Ireland at Under-20 level and contributed three tries in 22 appearances since making his bow for Leinster against the Sharks in 2022.

He has spent the past five years at Leinster and scored one try in six appearances so far this campaign.

Versatile Academy prop Kieran Ryan, who has played for Munster 11 times, will move up to a development contract next year and will progress to a senior contract for 2026-27.