Senior Debut: v Dragons, Rodney Parade, November 2020

Champions Cup Debut: v Exeter Chiefs, Sandy Park, April 2022

Position: Lock/flanker

School: St. Augustine's Dungarvan

Former Clubs: Youghal RFC, Dungarvan RFC & Waterpark RFC

Club: Shannon

Honours: Munster U18 Clubs, Munster U19s, Munster U20s; Ireland U18 Clubs, Ireland U19s Ireland U20s, Ireland;

A former Youghal RFC, Dungarvan RFC and Waterpark RFC player, Thomas Ahern became the latest Waterford man to take his place in the Academy in the summer of 2018.

Having played in the backline for the majority of his underage career, Ahern made the positional switch to the second row in 2017.

Standing close to 6 foot 6, Ahern made his Munster A debut against Cardiff Blues in September 2019.

He was a standout performer for the Ireland U20s squad in the 2020 6 Nations as they won all three games of the curtailed competition.

Ahern made his Munster debut away to Dragons in November 2020 and marked his first start later that month with a try against Zebre. The clash with Zebre saw Ahern (21) and fellow Academy man Cian Hurley (20) become Munster’s youngest starting second row combination in the professional era.

Graduated to the senior squad on a two-year contract ahead of the 2021/22 campaign having made seven appearances for Munster as an Academy player.

Established himself as a key member of the squad in the 2021/22 season, appearing in all three Champions Cup knock-out games against Exeter Chiefs (two) and Toulouse.

Featured for Emerging Ireland on their tour to South Africa in 2022 and made three appearances at the start of 2022/23 before a shoulder injury saw him miss the majority of the campaign.

Signed a two-year contract extension in October 2022 that keeps him at the province until at least 2025.

Enjoyed an outstanding 2023/24 campaign and made 23 appearances, including 14 starts. Playing at lock and in the back row, he earned a call-up to the Ireland squad for the 6 Nations but missed out due to injury.

Underwent surgery on an ankle injury in June 2024 that ruled him out for the URC play-offs.

Returned to action in September 2024 and made his 50th Munster appearance against the All Blacks XV in November 2024.

Continued to impress in the second row and the back row and signed a two-year deal in January 2025 to keep him at Munster until at least 2027.

Was called up to the Ireland squad ahead of their Round 2 Six Nations clash against Scotland in February 2025.

Ended the 2024/25 season with a career-best 19 appearances and earned his first two Ireland caps against Georgia and Portugal.