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We are right in the middle of contract season so I'm going to look at Munster's squad ahead of next season, focusing on the current squad, those likely to leave, who could be signed and what the depth chart looks like in each position. In part one I covered the pack so in part two we look at the backs
Scrum Half
An area of strength for Munster. They have two of the three 9's in the 6 Nations squad and not an area I expect too much movement in.
Craig Casey - Top of the depth chart and will be looking to push further up the national ranking in the coming months. He has a quality pass and brings the tempo that Munster need to bring to their gameplan to make it effective.
Conor Murray - Second in line for Ireland but his role is slowly changing to become "the closer" for Munster. He's Irelands best ever scrum half but his skillset doesn't necessarily suit Munsters style. He is under central contract which expires in the summer and in a similar issue to POM that I explained in the forwards article he may not be retained if the choice is purely down to Munster. He is far more valuable to Ireland at present and his market value to a team who play heavy off 9 and want a tactical game manager at scrum half is high. If he's important enough to Ireland he will be kept on and thats a bonus for Munster, if not I don't think Munster can or should compete to keep him.
Paddy Patterson - An underrated player somewhat in the style of Casey. He brings tempo and a quick pass. Will need to work on his kicking and decision making but more than capable of being Caseys back up full time should the situation arise.
Others - Ethan Coughlan has looked impressive in his limited outings so far and the fact himself and Tony Butler have played so much together at underage is a real positive. Jack Oliver is in the academy but needs time to develop. Neil Cronin is on a short term contract that is due to expire soon and I don't expect him to kept on into next season.
Conclusion - Casey to be number one, Patterson to start pushing to be his back up, more exposure for Coughlan and Murrays situation is dependent on the IRFU. I don't expect any signings at scrum half for next year even if Murray leaves.
Out Half
Munster have quality but the age profile is very young and lacking experience for next season.
Jack Crowley - He's such an exciting prospect but we have to remember he's still only 24 and that he's about to become the main 10 in Irish rugby with the focus that brings. Munster's main issue is that now he is Irelands main man his minutes will be managed far more conservatively going forward.
Joey Carbery - He's off to Bordeaux next season and thats probably best for all concerned. When Joey signed his previous contract he was Munster number 1, Ireland back up and seen as Sextons successor. That contract doesn't come cheap. Now he's very much out of the Ireland frame and back up at Munster. Munster have a budget and over paying for a player like that, especially with his injury profile doesn't make sense. From Joeys point of view he still has a decent reputation and the ability to command more than a provincial back up salary so getting a fresh start in France makes sense from his point of view as well.
Others - Tony Butler has done well when called upon. He's 21, gotten 2 starts in the URC and been exposed to Champions Cup level rugby. If the likes of Healy, Flannery etc had stayed I don't think he would have gotten this experience so quickly but he's grasp the opportunity and now needs to show he can continue to develop. Dylan Hicks is also in the academy with Butler but needs time.
Conclusion - Crowley is number one and while Butler and Hicks have potential Munster need a decent back up for Crowley. There has been talk about one of the Leinster 10's moving but unless it Frawley I don't see it happening. Munster need experience and durability which rules out Harry Byrne and Charlie Tector. I don't know if Munster will be allowed or will want to use a NIQ spot as back up so I think a more left field solution may be to look in the southern hemisphere. Someone like Fergus Burke at the Crusaders might be worth a shout. Good Super Rugby and NPC experience and I believe might be Irish qualified through a granny (TBC).
Centres
Munster have quality but not the depth needed.
Alex Nankivell - He will in my opinion be regarded as one of the best overseas signings Munster have ever made. He is just such a classy player, good on the ball, nice hands, good vision, superb footwork and dominant in the collision on both sides of the ball when he has no right to be. Does the right think and the right time and his yards after contact stats must be through the roof. Even though he's only here 6 months he has to be Munster's number one priority to retain when his contract is up in 2025.
Antoine Frisch - Forming a great partnership with Nankivell and a classy operator at 13. Superb footwork and constantly looking to keep the ball alive. Underrated defensively. Also out of contract in 2025 and the fact that he's JIFF qualified may make it hard for Munster to keep if he's not in the national squads.
Sean O'Brien - Signed as a centre but due to injuries and retirements he has had to play the role of power winger and utility bench option. Has done well in any role that has been asked of him. Would like to see him given more opportunities in his natural position in the centre.
Rory Scannell - a long time servant to Munster and a great squad player as he can cover so many positions. Even though he hits above his weight, he is under sized for 12 and next season depending on what happens with signings he may be asked to fill in at 10 for some games.
Others - there really isn't a lot of options even for next season. Munster can bring Liam Coombes and Shane Daly into 13 but that requires more depth in the back three. There are exciting guys in the underage structure like Gene O'Leary-Karem but he's going to take time to develop.
Conclusion - All the senior players are under contract for next season so I don't expect many if any changes in this position group. Getting this right for the following season will be far more tricky. Nankivell and Frisch are still the first choice.
Back Three
Calvin Nash - His 6 Nations call up is a reflection of how much he has developed his game and found consistent form. He is superb at running the trailing line behind the centres looking for the late pull back pass to send him into a gap. Undoubtably first choice winger.
Shane Daly - underrated player who does the basics well but has been asked to play the power winger role at times that doesn't suit his skillset. He has a very good passing game that could be utilised more in the right positions.
Mike Haley - Mister dependable for Munster, who has been sorely missed this season. Solid tackler, good kicking game, underrated attacking game and an excellent emergency scrum half. First choice full back without question.
Simon Zebo - has been excellent for Munster in his limited outings this season but given his contract is up at the end of the season I'm not sure we will see him in red next season.
Liam Coombes - has the profile for a power winger but doesn't have the top end pace for wing in my opinion. He could potential be a back up 13 in the squad but injuries are counting against him at present. Needs a big 2024/25 season.
Pa Campbell - A real talent and should suit Munsters current style of play perfectly. Needs to find an injury free run to make an impression and get back to back games in the URC under his belt.
Others - Ben O'Connor did his Leaving Cert in the summer and already has 2 Champions Cup caps to his name. He's talented but needs time to develop physically more than anything else. Shay McCarthy also has Champions Cup caps to his name but like O'Connor needs time.
Conclusion - Munster have quality and potential but a lot of it is young, needs time to continue developing and some experience added to help them out. Munster want a power winger to fit their attacking system and stretch defenses. They don't have a NIQ spot to use for that so I expect they may try to look at some of the other provinces for a solution. Diarmuid Kilgallon has the right skillset and if he was interested in a move would fit perfectly. Munster also need to find some depth and experience at the right cost. Matt Gallagher has been mentioned in The Rugby Paper as potentially returning and that would fit the bill. Knows the club, covers the entire back three and adds experience. All depends on his interest and if the cost is right.
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