Hooker Max Clein promoted to Munster senior squad on one-year deal

The converted back row won his first Munster cap against an Argentina XV in November

Max Clein won a Munster Schools Senior Cup with Crescent College Comprehensive in 2022. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Munster have promoted hooker Max Clein from their academy to the senior squad on a one-year deal for next season.

Clein, 22, will follow fellow academy members Ben O’Connor, a back-three player, flanker Sean Edogbo and tighthead prop Ronan Foxe in making the step up to Clayton McMillan’s senior squad for 2026-27, completing a three-year journey for the former Ireland Under-20 international.

A converted back row who won a Munster Schools Senior Cup with Crescent College Comprehensive in 2022 alongside current senior forward Ruadhán Quinn, switched position to hooker after leaving school and made his AIL debut with Garryowen in October of that year, making 13 appearances for his club. 

Clein also featured for Munster A and a Munster Development side and was part of the Ireland U20s squad which reached the 2023 World Championships final in South Africa.

He made his first senior appearance in an uncapped friendly against Harlequins in February 2024 and earned his first Munster cap against Argentina XV at Thomond Park last November.

Munster Rugby general manager Ian Costello said: "Max has made a successful conversion from playing in the back row at schools level to signing his first professional contract as a hooker in only four years. This is extremely rare in professional sport.

"Huge credit goes to the Academy staff who supported Max throughout this journey and to Max himself for the dedication and commitment necessary to reach this milestone."