John Hodnett pens new two-year Munster deal

Injuries have limited the backrow's appearances this season but he is expected to return from a thumb issue soon

John Hodnett has scored 16 tries in 87 appearances for Munster. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

John Hodnett has signed a new two-year deal with Munster which will keep him at the province until 2028.

The Rossbarbery man joins fellow backrow Brian Gleeson in this week extending his time at Thomond Park. 

Injuries have limited his impact so far this term but he has scored one try in six appearances and is expected to soon return from a thumb injury.

Hodnett has scored 16 tries in 87 Munster appearances, including the match-winning try in his player of the match performance in the 2023 URC Grand Final against Stormers in Cape Town. 

A Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s in 2019, after coming up through the ranks with Clonakilty RFC, he made his Munster debut against the Southern Kings in 2020. 

So far in the Munster jersey 📈📊#SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/YCNh8jJ9p4

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 21, 2026

After recovering from an Achilles injury, he made his Champions Cup debut in the away win over Wasps in December 2021.

He was selected on the Emerging Ireland squad for the South Africa tour at the start of the 2022/23 season and went on to have an outstanding campaign that culminated with the late try in the Grand Final win over Stormers.

Hodnett enjoyed another strong campaign in 2023/24 and made 18 appearances, including his 50th Munster cap against Connacht on New Year’s Day.

His defensive prowess saw him win the URC’s ‘Tackle Machine’ award for making 151 tackles in the URC regular season, completing 96% of his efforts.

His seven tries in 23 appearances last season included three tries in five Champions Cup games and earned a first call-up by Andy Farrell to the Ireland squad.