Páirc Uí Chaoimh an option for Munster's 'clash of champions' with NZ giants Crusaders

Having hosted a South Africa XV in November of last year, Cork GAA's Páirc Uí Chaoimh could be another venue option given its larger capacity.

Thu, 29 Jun, 2023 - 08:40

Simon Lewis

Páirc Uí Chaoimh is one of the live options to stage Munster's "Clash Of The Champions" with Super Rugby giants Crusaders next February 3 but the match venue will not be decided for at least a month, the Irish Examiner understands.

The Irish province, newly crowned BKT United Rugby Championship champions, announced a blockbuster showdown with the seven-in-a-row Super Rugby title winners from New Zealand on Thursday morning.

It will be a historic meeting, the first between the respective reigning champions of the two competitions, though plans for the fixture had been in place before either organisation became title holders.

Munster landed the 2022-23 URC title with a 19-14 Grand Final win over defending champs the Stormers in Cape Town last May 27, while Crusaders retained their Super Rugby crown last Saturday with a 25-20 victory in an all-Kiwi decider against the Chiefs.

All of which gifted the hosts a perfect opportunity to brand this tour match a "Clash of Champions".

That the 5pm kick-off on Saturday, February 3 next year falls less than 24 hours after Ireland's Guinness Six Nations opener against France in Marseille, and will clash directly with another Championship fixture, Wales v Scotland, which gets underway 15 minutes earlier, should not detract from the occasion.

Indeed, having hosted South Africa A last November in front of 41,400 supporters on a rainy Thursday night at Cork GAA's Páirc Uí Chaoimh, it makes the Leeside stadium a compelling candidate for the fixture if demand suggests a move from Munster's Thomond Park home is viable.

Munster Rugby, however, were not willing to confirm which venues were being considered. Having had to carefully negotiate permission to use the Páirc last November they will be cognisant of the process required to secure a return.

That will first require consent from Cork GAA which must then make a request to GAA Central Council, with the next Ard Chomhairle scheduled for Croke Park on July 15.

Central Council rubber-stamped the South Africa A fixture with a unanimous vote last August, paving the way for a successful first rugby match at Pairc Ui Chaoimh less than three months later when Graham Rowntree's team ran out 28-14 winners over the Springboks XV.

Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan said the fixture is going to be yet another "special occasion", with the province holding a proud history of hosting touring sides.

"We are delighted to welcome the Super Rugby champions to Munster, hosting a groundbreaking fixture against the Crusaders.

"We hold a proud and rich history of playing touring sides and I’ve no doubt next February’s game will be a special occasion for all involved."

Crusaders will arrive in Ireland with a new head coach in former Munster boss Rob Penney who was in charge of the Reds for two seasons from 2012-14. Penney was recently confirmed as the replacement for All Blacks-bound Scott Robertson, who will succeed Ian Foster after this year's World Cup.

Crusaders will begin life without Robertson with their first-ever international tour, and after Penney faces Munster, the Christchurch-based franchise will meet English Premiership side Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate six days later ahead of their 2024 Super Rugby title defence.

Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said: "The Crusaders are thrilled to be coming over to Ireland and the UK to face some stiff competition away from home".

"NZ and Australian clubs have been working on the World Club Competition for years, so when an opportunity for Super teams to play Northern Hemisphere counterparts came up, it was just too good to pass up.

"Munster have a history of giving touring sides a pretty hard time, so they present particularly tough competition. There’s also the added connection with our new head coach Rob Penney who coached there."