Munster trio sign two-year contract extensions ahead of Champions Cup opener
NEW DEAL: Diarmuid Barron one of three Munster players to sign a new deal. Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson
Munster have announced new contracts for Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman and Paddy Patterson ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup pool opener at home to Bayonne.
The trio have signed two-year contract extensions with the province, keeping them at Munster to at least the summer of 2026.
Hooker Barron, 25, has captained the side in three matches this season, including last Friday night’s win over Glasgow Warriors as head coach Graham Rowntree makes a decision on who will fill the vacancy created by Peter O’Mahony’s decision to step down after 10 years in the leadership role.
The Tipperary front-rower has emerged as Munster’s first-choice hooker in recent months, starting last season’s URC quarter-final, semi-final and Grand Final victories.
“It was an easy decision to make. It was always going to be an easy one if it was put on the table, so it was great,” Barron told the .
“It wasn’t something I’d think about too much, though you’re well aware if you’re up (for renewal). It’s making sure you perform well and that there is going to be an offer on the table and if it’s there, just get it over with as quickly as possible and hope that both sides are happy.
“Things have gone all right for me so far so just keep it going now.”
Ireland international loosehead prop Loughman, 28, also started those three knockout games en route to Munster’s first trophy in 12 years and earned an Ireland World Cup appearance earlier this season. He has scored six tries in 89 Munster appearances since joining from the Leinster academy in 2017.
Scrum-half Patterson, also a former Leinster academy player, joined Munster in 2021, initially on a short-term deal, and the 25-year-old has scored five tries in 24 Munster appearances.
Munster made a separate announcement on Tuesday, revealing recently retired wing duo Keith Earls and Andrew Conway will be guests of honors at Thomond Park on Saturday evening when Munster kick off their Champions Cup campaign against Bayonne.
The duo will be presented to an expected crowd of 20,000-plus at half-time, giving Munster supporters an opportunity to show their appreciation for the contributions Earls and Conway made to the province.
Earls retired following his fourth Rugby World Cup with Ireland two months ago having scored 64 tries in 202 appearances for Munster since his debut in 2007.
The Limerick man scored 36 Test tries in 102 Ireland caps and is the only player to have won a clean sweep of Munster Academy Player of the Year (2007), Young Player of the Year (2009) and senior Men’s Player of the Year (2018) awards.
Conway was forced to retire last month at the age of 32 due to injury, having made 150 appearances and scored 50 tries to become the province’s third-highest try-scorer of all time.
He also scored 15 tries in his 30 Ireland caps, won a Triple Crown and featured in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He finished the competition as Ireland’s top try-scorer with three tries in as many appearances.
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