Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm Tyler Bleyendaal, Ciaran Parker and Alby Mathewson have all signed contract extensions at the province.

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm Tyler Bleyendaal, Ciaran Parker and Alby Mathewson have all signed contract extensions at the province.

The Greencore Munster Rugby Academy duo of Sean O’Connor and Keynan Knox have also put pen to paper.

Tyler Bleyendaal has made 47 appearances in red since his debut in September 2015 and has captained the province on 11 occasions. Munster’s Player of the Year in 2017, the New Zealand-born playmaker will remain with the province until June 2021.

Tighthead prop Ciaran Parker will move from a development contract to a senior contract for next season. The 23-year-old has made 11 appearances for the province.

Scrum-half Alby Mathewson will remain with the province until the end of the season after signing a further extension. The former All Black has played for Munster on 13 occasions, scoring two tries.

22-year-old Sean O’Connor will advance to the senior squad next season on a one-year development contract after completing his three years in the Academy. The versatile Tipperary native can play at lock and in the back row and has made nine appearances for the province. In 2016 he featured for the Ireland U20s side that secured their best-ever finish as runners-up at the World Rugby U20 Championship in England.

Keynan Knox has signed a three-year deal with the province that sees him continue with the Academy for a further year before advancing to the senior ranks. The 19-year-old Young Munster player featured for Munster A on five occasions in the Celtic Cup earlier this season.

Home Fixtures

March

Sat, March 23 – Guinness PRO14: Munster v Zebre, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Early Bird Closes 5pm on Wed, March 6 – Buy tickets here

April

Fri, April 5 – Guinness PRO14: Munster v Cardiff Blues, Irish Independent Park, 7.35pm; Early Bird Closes 5pm on Wed, March 20 – Buy tickets here

Sat, April 27 – Guinness PRO14: Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Early Bird Closes 5pm on Wed, March 20 – Buy tickets here

6 Nations Rugby In Cork

Friday, March 8

Ireland U20s v France U20s, Irish Independent Park, 7.15pm; Buy tickets here