Munster were on course to reach the knock-out stages of the Guinness PRO14 when the season was indefinitely suspended in March with a possible return to action coming in August.
Check out the best photos from the season so far here.
So far this season, over 19 games across the Guinness PRO14 and Champions Cup, the province won 12, drew one and lost six.
Graham Rowntree ahead of his first game as part of the coaching team in November 2019.[/caption]
Andrew Conway on his way to scoring his 42nd Munster try.[/caption]
Rory Scannell has played the most minutes for Munster this season.[/caption]
New Additions
Munster’s pre-season training programme began on July 1, 2019, with Nick McCarthy and promoted Academy players Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Shane Daly and Seán O’Connor the new additions to the senior squad. Senior Coach Stephen Larkham joined the province in mid-August and new Forwards Coach Graham Rowntree joined Munster in late October following his Rugby World Cup commitments with Georgia. [caption id="attachment_126731" align="aligncenter" width="765"] Graham Rowntree ahead of his first game as part of the coaching team in November 2019.[/caption]
Landmarks
Nick McCarthy and Academy players Jake Flannery, Ben Healy, John Hodnett, Keynan Knox and Jack O’Sullivan all made their Munster debuts this season along with short-term signing Jed Holloway. There have been Champions Cup debuts for Calvin Nash, Shane Daly, Craig Casey, Ben Healy and Jack O’Sullivan. Billy Holland has now made 227 appearances for Munster and has the fourth most appearances in the province’s history. Stephen Archer surpassed the 200-cap mark against Edinburgh in November and is eighth on the list with 208 appearances. John Ryan made his 150th Munster appearance with Niall Scannell reaching the 100 landmark as Dan Goggin surpassed 50 appearances. Andrew Conway scored his 42nd Munster try against Racing 92 in January to move ahead of Anthony Horgan into third place on the province’s list of top try-scorers. [caption id="attachment_126745" align="aligncenter" width="796"] Andrew Conway on his way to scoring his 42nd Munster try.[/caption]
Man of the Match Awards
There have been Man of the Match awards for JJ Hanrahan (three), Shane Daly (two), Mike Haley (two), Rory Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, Academy player John Hodnett and Kevin O'Byrne.Captains
Squad captain Peter O'Mahony, Billy Holland, Jack O'Donoghue, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander and Niall Scannell have all led Munster this season with Scannell captaining the team for the first time against Zebre in February.Appearances
49 players have lined out for Munster in the Guinness PRO14 and Champions Cup so far this season. Seven Academy players have played competitive rugby for the province this season - Diarmuid Barron, Liam Coombes, Jake Flannery, Ben Healy, John Hodnett, Keynan Knox and Jack O’Sullivan. Rory Scannell and Kevin O'Byrne have played the most games for Munster this season with 18 appearances each. Scannell has played the most minutes (1,196) followed closely by Mike Haley (1,162), who played the most minutes in the 2018/19 season. [caption id="attachment_128260" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Rory Scannell has played the most minutes for Munster this season.[/caption]