Record-Breaker Stephen Archer To Retire At End Of Season

Stephen Archer has today announced that he will retire from professional rugby in the summer after a record-breaking career with Munster that has seen him make over 300 appearances for the province.

He is the only player ever to have hit the 300-cap landmark and also earned two Ireland caps over a long and illustrious career.

Archer’s retirement will bring an end to his 18-year association with the province since the tighthead prop joined the Munster Academy in 2007.

Stephen Archer after earning his 300th Munster cap with his wife Kelly and son Casey.

Announcing the news, Archer said: “Growing up, my family were huge Munster supporters and I was lucky enough to be brought to lots of games when I was younger.

“When I made my first Munster appearance in 2009, it was a dream come true. To still be playing 16 years on as Munster’s most-capped player is fairly surreal and something I’m very proud of.

“After winning the first league in 2011, I didn’t think it was going to be 12 years before we won it again in 2023. That made it more special in many ways, winning it in Cape Town after all the near misses.

“Playing for Ireland was a huge honour and something I will always remember as a standout moment in my career.

“In all the Munster dressing rooms I’ve been a part of, there has always been a great bond between the players. I used to enjoy having the craic with the older players when I came in and now I’m the older player having the craic with the younger fellas. That’s always been the way in Munster.

“The most enjoyable part has been sitting in the dressing room after a big performance where everyone has given it their all and you’re all together as a team.

“That team bond is what I will miss most. The Saturday is when it counts but it doesn’t just happen on Saturday – it’s the week’s work and the team bond that you build with everyone rowing in the same direction.

“I’ve shared the dressing room with special team-mates and we’ve had some of the world’s best coaches – I have a lot to thank them for.

“I’d like to thank my parents and siblings for their support and encouragement over the years.

“I’d also like to thank the Munster supporters, I think the majority appreciate my effort and work ethic and I’m grateful to them for that.

“Most importantly, I’d like to give a massive thanks to my wife Kelly, she has sacrificed a lot to allow me concentrate on rugby for all these years and that is something I will always be grateful for.

“It’s been special in the last few years being able to have my kids at games and in the dressing room afterwards. I hope those will be memories of a lifetime for them.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying more time with my family and friends in the summer. I’m excited for what’s ahead, looking for a new career path where I can draw on the experiences and skills that I have gained from professional rugby and will be invaluable to me in the future.

“It’s been amazing so far and while I’m looking forward to supporting the team in the future, we have a big few weeks ahead.

“Thanks, Archie.”

Stephen Archer with his family after winning his 250th cap for Munster.

A hugely popular member of the squad, the 37-year-old Cork man made his Munster debut almost 16 years ago against Edinburgh in October 2009 after coming up through the ranks at Cork Constitution, CBC and UCC.

He was an All Ireland League winner with Cork Con in 2010 and moved up to the Munster senior squad later that year, helping the province to the Celtic League title in 2011.

He made the first of his 61 Champions Cup appearances against Castres at Thomond Park in January 2012 and won the British & Irish Cup with Munster A later that year.

His first senior Ireland cap came as a replacement against Italy in the 2013 Six Nations in Rome, with his second against Australia in the 2013 Guinness Series.

The durable tighthead helped Munster reach the 2015 PRO12 final with an exceptional performance in the semi-final win over Ospreys and was part of the Emerging Ireland squad that won the 2015 Tbilisi Cup in Georgia.

He earned his 100th Munster cap against Dragons in March 2016 before helping Munster A to a second B&I Cup title in 2017.

Since an injury-disrupted 2015/16 season, Archer has enjoyed a remarkable run over the past nine years. He has played 196 games in nine seasons, averaging just under 22 games per year.

Archer played a central role in Munster’s URC title success in 2023 with a number of outstanding performances at the business end of the season, making 15 appearances over the campaign.

He started the final five games of the season and played back-to-back 80 minutes in the win over Stormers in Cape Town and draw against Sharks in Durban.

He started the URC quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors, semi-final win over Leinster and Grand Final victory over Stormers.

Stephen Archer celebrates the 2023 URC title win with Keith Earls, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray.

Archer became Munster’s most-capped player of all time against Leinster in November 2023, eclipsing Donncha O’Callaghan’s record of 268.

This year’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Bordeaux Begles saw Archer become the first player to reach the 300-cap landmark, a record that may never be surpassed.

Head of Rugby Operations and Interim Head Coach Ian Costello said: “Archie has made a massive contribution to the province since joining the Academy in 2007 and is a hugely popular member of the squad.

“To have enjoyed such longevity in the game and played so many games for Munster shows his quality as a player but also his dedication, perseverance and character as a person.

“We are delighted that he’s going out on his own terms and to have reached the 300-cap landmark is an incredible achievement that may never be matched.

“He has had brilliant support from his family and I’m sure everyone at Cork Constitution, CBC and UCC are very proud of his achievements in the game.

“We’ll miss Archie but wish him, his wife Kelly and all his family the very best for the future.”

John Hodnett and Jack Crowley celebrate after the win over La Rochelle with a Stephen Archer fan flag.