Senior Debut: v Cheetahs, Thomond Park, September 2018

Champions Cup Debut: v Harlequins, Thomond Park, December 2020

School: Bandon Grammar

Club: Young Munster

Honours: Ireland U19s; Ireland U20s; Ireland

Gavin Coombes is a product of Skibbereen RFC and Bandon Grammar and moved up to the senior squad in the summer of 2019 after three years in the Munster Rugby Academy.

Coombes made his B&I Cup debut, and scored a try, against Rotherham Titans in December '16 and went on to play a large part in the winning campaign, making five appearances and scoring three tries.

Coombes represented the Ireland U20s in the 2017 Six Nations and U20s World Championship.

The Young Munster back-row forward/lock made his Munster debut as an Academy player in the opening game of the 2018/19 season against the Cheetahs and went on to make eight Guinness PRO14 appearances over the campaign.

Made an off the bench in the 2020 PRO14 semi-final.

A fantastic start to the 2020/21 season saw Coombes score seven tries in nine appearances, including a try on his Champions Cup debut against Harlequins.

Rewarded for his fine form with a call-up to train with the Ireland squad during the 2021 6 Nations.

Was named Munster Rugby's Youngest ever Player of the Year in 2021 after scoring 15 tries in 22 appearances, a new record for the most tries in one season for the province.

Made his first two appearances for Ireland against Japan and USA in the 2021 Vodafone Summer Series.

His 2021/22 campaign was disrupted by injury but he did score four tries in 14 appearances and was selected on Ireland's tour to New Zealand, featuring in both games against the Maori All Blacks.

Missed the start of the 2022/23 season due to a groin injury but returned to full training in October and started for Ireland A against the All Blacks XV in November.

Scored 14 tries in 22 Munster appearances in 2022/23 as we won the URC title and was included in the Ireland squad for the 6 Nations and the training squad ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Played in all 25 games of the 2023/24 season (20 starts), playing at no.8 and in the second row and scored seven tries.

Scored two tries on his 100th appearance against Zebre in September 2024 and signed a two-year contract extension in December that keeps him at Munster until 2027.

Scored eight tries in 22 appearances over the 2024/25 season and earned his third Ireland cap against Georgia in July 2025.