The McMillan Era: Munster’s rebuild and the patience it will demand

To fully understand Clayton McMillan’s appointment as head coach is to realise the type of rebuild Munster need — not a cosmetic refresh, but a structural reset in how the team trains, plays, connects, and performs.

From Nearly Man to Culture Builder

Clayton McMillan’s playing career was respectable rather than remarkable. He represented Bay of Plenty at provincial level, spent time playing in Japan, and hovered on the fringes of All Blacks selection without ever earning a cap. In New Zealand rugby terms, that placed him firmly outside the fast-track coaching conveyor belt reserved for ex-internationals.

Without name recognition to open doors, McMillan took the long route. He coached clubs, he coached age-grade teams. He learned his craft in environments where results mattered, but culture mattered more. By the time he was appointed Bay of Plenty head coach in 2015, he was already known within New Zealand rugby circles as someone who could transform dressing rooms and rebuild squads.

At Bay of Plenty, McMillan instilled clarity around roles, demanded accountability from players, and rebuilt squad culture - the results were dramatic. In 2019, Bay of Plenty won the Mitre 10 Cup — one of the most significant achievements in the union’s history — not through star power, but through team work, togetherness and clarity.

That success propelled McMillan onto the national stage with the Māori All Blacks, a role he held between 2017 and 2023. There, his emphasis on tikanga, identity, and connection became central to both performance and player development. The Māori side under McMillan was competitive and deeply connected to its purpose — qualities that followed him to his next role.

Rebuilding the Chiefs

When McMillan took over as head coach of the Chiefs in 2021, he faced a formidable task Warren Gatland had departed after a disastrous Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign in which the Chiefs failed to win a single match. Confidence was shot, depth was thin and the culture needed rebuilding.

McMillan’s response was not revolutionary, but it was methodical. He empowered senior players. He built a forward-led tactical framework rooted in physicality, clarity, and consistency. His Chiefs teams controlled collisions, improved their attacking shape, and developed a defensive system built on connection rather than blitz speed.

The results spoke loudly and four Super Rugby finals in five seasons followed, elevating McMillan from a respected domestic coach to a serious candidate for elite roles abroad. Northern Hemisphere clubs took notice and Munster moved decisively.

A Cultural Reset in Limerick

From the moment McMillan arrived in Limerick, the emphasis was clear. This would be a player-led environment, but one with strong non-negotiables around effort, accountability, and connection.

Munster’s pre-season under McMillan was unapologetically old-school, hill runs, boxing sessions and trips across the province to reconnect with supporters. This was not nostalgia for its own sake, but an attempt to rebuild trust between squad and fan base after seasons of inconsistency.

McMillan spoke repeatedly about connection — but he was also realistic. Munster, he acknowledged, needed to give supporters something tangible to believe in again. Culture without performance is hollow.

He brought with him two trusted lieutenants: team manager Martyn Vercoe and head of strength and conditioning Brad Mayo. Vercoe, a key figure in McMillan’s Māori and Chiefs environments, plays a crucial role in embedding cultural standards within squads. Mayo arrived with a reputation for adaptability and precision, having worked across Bay of Plenty, the Hurricanes, and the All Blacks XV.

Munster’s injury issues in recent seasons had been well documented — a by-product of shifting playing styles from Johan van Graan to Graham Rowntree, and the changing physical demands placed on the squad. Mayo’s initial changes to the conditioning programme have yielded encouraging early results, though the real test will come over multiple seasons.

The McMillan Blueprint

Tactically, McMillan’s philosophy has been remarkably consistent across his coaching career. His teams seek physical control first, they earn the right to play before exploiting space. Collisions on the gain line matter, breakdown dominance matters and set-piece stability matters.

McMillan is a forwards coach by trade, but his teams are forward-led rather than forward-dominated. Technique trumps numbers at the breakdown, late latching from tight-five forwards keeps defenders guessing and quick ruck ball allows width to be maintained without sacrificing tempo.

In attack, he favours 1-3-3-1 or 1-3-3-X pod structures, with edge forwards actively involved rather than staying wide. Early phases are kept narrow, compressing defensive lines before releasing pace on the edges. Wingers are expected to stay wide, using speed for line breaks and finishes rather than early involvement.

The fullback is often deployed as a second playmaker, not merely a strike runner — a feature Munster have yet to fully exploit.

Kicking is tactical rather than reactive. Contestable box kicks aim not necessarily for clean catches, but for regather opportunities to a set pod following the chaser. Diagonal kicks in behind compressed defensive lines are used to isolate backfield defenders, particularly when executed late on the gain line.

Defensively, McMillan favours connected line speed over a pure blitz. Centres hold shape, back-rowers protect inside shoulders, fold defenders prioritise spacing over dominant hits. It is a system designed to bend but not break — reducing line breaks, maximising tackle completion, and defending fiercely in the red zone.

At set-piece, pragmatism rules and scrum gimmicks snubbed. Scrums are about stability and ball access, not penalties. Lineouts prioritise high-percentage throws, peel options, and tempo rather than mauls or throws to the tail.

Above all, McMillan’s teams are comfortable without the ball. They kick long, defend territory, and apply pressure through structure rather than chaos. His bench is used to maintain tempo, not change tactics.

Playing the System Without the Pieces

Munster are already attempting to play McMillan’s game — but without all the tools required to execute it consistently.

Against Castres, the attacking framework functioned, producing 15 line breaks. But Munster lacked the power to convert pressure into points. Against Dragons, conditions forced a narrower approach, yielding no line breaks and familiar red-zone struggles until the bench arrived.

Defensively, the system’s reliance on individual execution has been exposed. Missed one-up tackles over the Christmas and New Year period proved fatal. The structure works only when errors are minimised.

McMillans philosophies haven't changed since he joined Munster, he still wants forwards that can win collisions, get clean ruck ball, carry in the tight and provide a stable set piece platform. He wants control and consistency from his half backs and he wants dynamic and explosive impact from his backline when called upon.What he’s missing is size and carrying ability in the front row, a reliable set piece platform and defensive consistency. That consistency — the holy grail of McMillan’s philosophy — just isn't there at the moment.

A Munster Squad in Transition

Johan van Graan’s vision was constrained by recruitment limitations. Graham Rowntree adapted brilliantly, shifting Munster towards a more fluid, attacking style that culminated in the 2023 URC title, but that style carried risk - the ceiling was high, the floor was low.

Since that title win, Munster have lost a huge amount of experience and talent: Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Ben Healy, Antoine Frisch, Chris Farrell, Andrew Conway, Simon Zebo and Keith Earls.

McMillan arrived knowing a rebuild was unavoidable. His first six months were spent assessing every squad player in competitive environments. Of the senior squad only Roman Salanoa, sidelined since the 2023 final, hasn't featured in a senior game this season.

Now, as contract decisions loom, hard choices must be made. Some have already surfaced - Jean Kleyn’s move to Gloucester, renewals for Tom Farrell and Brian Gleeson. But tough decisions are coming.

Depth Chart Analysis

So what changes can make for the 2026/27 season across the squad?

Hooker

Niall Scannell and Max Clein appear to be the hookers under the greatest pressure as McMillan rebuilds. Scannell, capped by Ireland during Joe Schmidt’s time when set-piece security was paramount, has been a reliable servant for the province, however he's 34 in April and retirement may be on the cards.

Clein, now in his third year in the academy, possesses the physical profile Munster are looking for at hooker. Standing at six feet tall and weighing close to 18 stone, he has the size to operate at professional level. Yet his inability to consistently deliver at the lineout has stalled his progress. In a position where Munster are already short of proven depth, his continued lack of senior minutes is a concern.

Diarmuid Barron remains a solid, dependable option, particularly when surrounded by larger forwards. His throwing is generally reliable, he's a solid scrummager, has good work rate around the field strong, making him a useful component within a balanced pack. Lee Barron, who arrived from Leinster, offers a different profile. Tall and athletic, he carries some of the traits associated with modern hookers such as Dan Sheehan, contributing mobility and back-row-like skills in open play, though his height presents challenges at scrum time.

Munster have already been strongly linked with Scarlets and Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe, a move that would immediately add size, power, and proven set-piece strength to the squad. His arrival would address several of Munster’s current deficiencies at hooker, particularly in terms of carrying and physical dominance. An announcement is expected in the near future, though should a suitable Irish-qualified option become available, Munster may yet look to further reinforce the position.

Loosehead

At the top of the loosehead depth chart, Munster are relatively well positioned. Josh Wycherley, Jeremy Loughman and Josh Milne each offer something different, with Loughman standing out as the most complete of the senior options. He remains the strongest scrummager of the three, while Milne provides greater power and impact as a ball carrier. Wycherley, though still needing to kick on to climb the pecking order, is a dependable third choice at this stage of his development.

Further down the chart, opportunities are limited. Kieran Ryan, Mark Donnelly and George Hadden are competing for senior minutes without having those above them giving up international windows and enforced rest periods, but none have yet managed to establish themselves. Donnelly’s loan move to Ealing over the Christmas period is not a promising sign, while Hadden has yet to make a senior appearance for the province.

With several promising players progressing through the underage system, Munster are unlikely to look outside to reinforce the position.

Tighthead

Tighthead prop remains one of Munster’s most pressing problem positions and, significantly, one where the province has finally received dispensation to recruit an NIQ. Oli Jager is an ideal fit for Clayton McMillan’s approach, offering the scrummaging power and physical profile the system demands, but his impact has been limited by ongoing fitness and availability issues. Roman Salanoa, in theory, possesses the attributes to become a dominant tighthead, yet serious doubts remain over whether his body can withstand the demands of professional rugby, particularly after nearly three years without a senior appearance.

John Ryan is expected to move toward retirement, while Conor Bartley has impressed since stepping up from the AIL, showing he can operate at this level. Ronan Foxe remains a longer-term project, with huge potential but he's not ready to become

Munster are expected to add Jack Aungier from Connacht as a depth signing. Aungier is a dependable, set-piece-first prop who would provide solid cover and aligns well with McMillan’s preference for stability and control. However, depth alone will not be enough. The recruitment of a top-tier non–Irish-qualified tighthead prop is viewed internally as essential to McMillan’s project, and sources suggest this move has both the approval of IRFU performance director David Humphreys and the necessary financial backing.

While All Black Tyrel Lomax is out of contract, his international ambitions and the resolution of New Zealand’s coaching situation make such a move unlikely in a World Cup cycle. A more realistic target may be a South African tighthead — potentially not even one currently out of contract. The Stormers, in particular, boast a depth chart at tighthead that would be the envy of most clubs worldwide, and there is a sense that SARU could be open to facilitating a move. Alternatively, Munster may look to the Top 14 for a South African prop already accustomed to European rugby.

Whichever route is taken, one conclusion appears unavoidable: Munster will be welcoming a sizeable, set-piece-focused tighthead next season — a cornerstone signing for the McMillan era.

Lock

Munster’s second-row options need to be divided into distinct profiles: heavy tighthead locks, specialist lineout operators, and hybrid players capable of covering blindside. At the centre of that picture stands Edwin Edogbo, the present and future of the Munster pack. A physically imposing figure, Edogbo has the potential — fitness permitting — to become the cornerstone around which Munster’s forward unit is built for the next decade.

Tadhg Beirne remains a world-class operator, but the evolution of the modern game has subtly reduced the impact of his traditional strengths. With teams spending less time holding possession through multiple phases, his jackalling threat is not as influential as it once was, while the renewed emphasis on scrum dominance and set-piece power has lessened the advantage of deploying a lock built more like a back-row forward.

Evan O’Connell has shown encouraging signs as a dedicated lineout lock, though further physical development is required for him to fully impose himself at the highest level. Tom Ahern, provided he can stay fit, offers Munster a valuable hybrid option, combining lineout leadership with the athleticism to cover across the back five.

Jean Kleyn’s departure to Gloucester at the end of the season marks the loss of a proven tighthead lock, but one that may ultimately suit both player and province. Munster were unable to match the security of a three-year contract, and the demands of their evolving style differ from the role Kleyn fulfilled at both Munster and with the Springboks. A fresh start may be mutually beneficial.

Conor Kennelly and Conor Ryan remain developmental prospects, with hopes that one can grow into a reliable tighthead lock option, while Michael Foy has emerged as an exciting talent who could slot into either a lineout-focused or hybrid role in time.

Munster are expected to strengthen their second-row resources, though any additions are likely to be utilised in hybrid or blindside capacities rather than as traditional tighthead locks. There is also scope for Gavin Coombes to feature more regularly in the engine room. Deploying him as a replacement option for Edogbo could prove an effective way of maintaining physical power late in matches, particularly if Brian Gleeson establishes himself as the first-choice number eight.

Backrow

As outlined in the lock options, Gavin Coombes has an opportunity to refocus on the qualities that make him most effective, namely his close-range carrying and ability to generate momentum in tight channels. That role could increasingly be fulfilled from the second row, particularly if Brian Gleeson claims the number eight jersey and adds another dynamic ball-carrier to the back row.

Jack O’Donoghue has enjoyed something of a resurgence under Clayton McMillan, operating as a larger-bodied edge forward who provides a useful lineout option. However, his long-term place in the squad remains uncertain, with competition intensifying and younger options such as Seán Edogbo emerging as genuine challengers for his position. Ruadhán Quinn offers a similar profile but brings greater impact as a carrier, albeit with less emphasis on lineout involvement.

Munster are expected to strengthen their options in this area, with Ultan Dillane viewed as a potential addition who could be deployed in a hybrid lock-blindside role. Used in rotation with Tom Ahern — or even Tadhg Beirne — Dillane would add much-needed size, power and lineout presence, all of which align closely with the demands of McMillan’s system.

The renewal of John Hodnett came as something of a surprise, given questions over how neatly his skill set fits the current tactical framework, though it may reflect a club-friendly agreement and his value as dependable depth.

Scrum Half

Craig Casey sits comfortably clear at the top of Munster’s scrum-half depth chart. He sets the tempo, delivers consistent pass quality, manages the kicking game effectively and, crucially, provides the level of reliability Munster require in such a pivotal position.

That consistency is precisely what has eluded both Ethan Coughlan and Paddy Patterson, each of whom is currently out of contract. Munster are unlikely to retain both, and based on selection patterns to date, Patterson appears the more vulnerable. Coughlan, for all his shortcomings, offers greater upside if improvements can be made to his kicking accuracy and the consistency of his distribution. With more front-foot ball, his overall influence would likely increase.

Munster are expected to recruit a specialist back-up scrum-half. Current indications suggest Mathew Devine is Ulster-bound, while Ben Murphy could emerge as a viable option should he be willing to make the move south from Galway.

Out Half

Much like at scrum-half, Munster have a clear standout at fly-half but lack depth and consistency behind him. On paper, the signings of Billy Burns and JJ Hanrahan made sense: experienced professionals brought in to guide the team during the absences of Crowley and Casey. In practice, however, Burns struggled to make the expected impact, partly due to not being a frontline kicker, while Hanrahan will need to maintain fitness and demonstrate his value on the pitch.

Dylan Hicks remains a developing option but is under pressure, having seen limited senior game time so far. While no immediate recruitment at fly-half is expected this off-season, Munster could target a fullback capable of covering ten ahead of the 2027/28 season. Such a player would align perfectly with McMillan’s tactical framework and address a notable gap in squad versatility.

Centre

Munster’s centre depth chart is one of the more settled areas of the squad, with a strong balance at the top. Alex Nankivell, Tom Farrell, and Dan Kelly provide a blend of power, attacking threat, and defensive solidity, and can be rotated strategically to exploit the weaknesses of different opponents.

Sean O’Brien has transitioned to a centre role full-time but has struggled to break into the top-three rotation consistently. Meanwhile, academy prospects Gordon Wood, Gene O’Leary-Kareem, and Eoghan Smyth will require time to develop. Each has potential, but they will need to prove themselves next season if they are to earn opportunities in the senior squad.

Back Three

Munster’s back three options are functional, but it remains unclear how well they align with McMillan’s preferred system. Shane Daly is a reliable fullback, but he lacks the outright pace for the wing and does not operate as the play maker the team often requires. Calvin Nash possesses international quality, but injuries have limited his availability this season.

Ben O’Connor presents an intriguing option at fullback, combining pace, aerial ability, and a competent kicking game, though he is still developing at the senior level. Thaakir Abrahams offers the necessary speed on the wing but is limited by a weakness in the air, and it seems likely he will depart at the end of this season. Mike Haley provides stability and experience, while Shay McCarthy’s physicality makes him a useful impact option.

Andrew Smith and Diarmuid Kilgallen must prove themselves quickly if they are to secure places in the senior squad. Fionn Gibbons, despite potential, appears unlikely to be retained given his limited game time. Should an Irish-qualified back three player with pace or play making ability become available, Munster would almost certainly consider adding them to strengthen both depth and tactical flexibility.

Matchday Squad 2026/27

This leaves the potential for the following match day squad for next season.