Gavin Coombes still revels in representing Skibb on big European stages

Ahead of the latest Toulon visit, Gavin Coombes never ceases to be amazed by the levels of support Munster attract on their road trips.

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026 - 06:35

Simon Lewis

There are plenty of reasons for Munster players and supporters to look back fondly on their most recent visit to Toulon in 2024, not least the come-from-behind 29-18 Champions Cup pool victory.

A repeat of that bonus-point win two years on their return to Stade Felix Mayol would go down very nicely with charter flights set to depart Shannon and Cork on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s early afternoon kick-off. Memories of 24 months ago alone could possibly fuel their take-off but for Gavin Coombes it was the presence of parents Eric and Regina in the stands for their first European away game that topped his recollections of that famous day this week.

The back rower never ceases to be amazed by the levels of support Munster attract on their road trips but the presence of Mum and Dad and the family’s deep connections to hometown Skibbereen Rugby Club add another level of motivation for the 28-year-old.

“It was class,” Coombes said of his first visit to Toulon. “My parents, it was their first away Champions Cup game, so they loved it.

“I remember we walked to the stadium, it was a lovely day over there, the sun was shining. I actually had a back spasm the whole day before, so I had a lot of heat on my back, which didn't help with the temperature over there, but no, it was classic, iconic ground, isn't it?

“They've got a crowd that are loud and get behind them, and then some memorable moments like Zebo's try, getting five points over there, so it was one of those special away days for us.

“I think it's pretty special when you travel with Munster because the place is always red, isn't it? There's always a big travelling support. So yeah, I only remember Munster fans being there. I can't even remember the pre-match because I'm just so focused on what's coming ahead.

“I just remember it's one of those grounds that is iconic. I remember going there the night before. We didn't do a captain's run, but we went there just to look at the stadium and then thinking back of watching the great Toulon teams and throwing the newspapers into the stands and thinking, fortunately, we're not going to see that because we're not going to lose and we didn't. Yeah, there's been some good experiences though.

“La Rochelle (last season), the place was red. I think this club is just not really like much other clubs in Ireland anyway or in Europe. You might get a small bit in France for home teams, but the travelling support we have is always incredible.

“No matter how performances have been, they'll always travel in numbers and get behind us. And after the Bath game (in December), we were all very disappointed. You have them coming up to you in the airport and just saying, you know, ‘that's done now and we have next week’. They're always there to pick you back up again, so pretty loyal, which is special.”

Coombes’ parents, lifelong Munster supporters, will be back in Toulon this weekend and the back rower added: “Me being involved was a good excuse for them. It's a huge honour for me to represent my family and play for Munster and represent Skibbereen Rugby Club.

“It's definitely a motivating factor, and you always have someone in your corner as well, so it's good.

“For me growing up, all I wanted to do was play for Munster. You grew up in this province and I think that's anyone that plays rugby, their goal is to represent Munster in Europe in the best stadiums against the best players in the world. That's always been my motivation, and then my family have been a huge help in getting me to where I am. So to see the pride in their faces is a huge motivation for me as well.”

Coombes is hugely proud of his hometown club with his older brother Kevin, 30, still a regular first teamer at lock or in the back row. His first cousins are also famous sons of Skibbereen, Olympic rowing stars Gary and Paul O'Donovan, while former Munster wing/centre Liam is another former club representative, now doing a Masters degree in Sydney having helped Warringah win the Shute Shield rugby earlier this year following his summer departure from professional rugby.

The influence of the club on Gavin, he confessed, has been “massive”.

“My dad played with them, all my uncles played with them, my dad would have coached the junior team when I was growing up, so every Sunday was going to a junior game and playing on the sideline with my brother and my cousin Liam and a few other lads whose parents were dogged in it as well.

“Then I had cousins playing in the team, so I would have gone to every game growing up for 10-15 years.

“And then they were always there backing me as well when I was coming through the system and very proud of what I achieved. My brother is still playing there and I still like to get to games when I can, which is handy because they have a lot of Limerick teams in the division now so I get to a few games.

“But yeah, a huge influence on my career and I still run in there whenever I've off-season or downtime down there. So yeah, brilliant.”