Busy week at Munster ends in five senior players signing contract extensions

Munster and the IRFU have confirmed new deals for Chris Farrell, Chris Cloete, James Cronin, Neil Cronin and Tommy O’Donnell to keep them at Thomond Park beyond the turn of the decade.
Ireland international Farrell has added three years to his existing deal to keep him at Munster until 2022, where he will spearhead a midfield that includes Dan Goggin and Sam Arnold amongst its ranks.
Ex-Southern Kings flanker Cloete has signed for an additional two years bringing him up to 2022, while fellow flanker O’Donnell, prop James Cronin and scrum-half Neil Cronin commit to 2021.
The latest in a sustained recruitment effort by Munster and the IRFU comes after Conor Murray signed a new deal to push close to Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton as Ireland’s highest-paid player.
Murray is the incumbent scrum-half for Joe Schmidt’s side and, as well as fielding competition from Alby Mathewson and Cronin, will soon see Nick McCarthy join the ranks once he completes his move from Munster.
The 23-year-old has made 30 appearances for Leinster to date and has been low down the pecking order at the RDS behind Luke McGrath and Jamison Gibson-Park.
Additionally, Greencore Munster Academy players Gavin Coombes and Shane Daly will be promoted to the Johann van Graan’s side for next season.