Gavin Coombes signs contract extension with Munster Rugby

GAVIN Coombes is the fourth Munster Rugby player to announce a contract extension with the province. The Skibbereen man has signed a two-year extension with Munster after scoring an impressive 47 tries in 106 Munster appearances since making his debut against Cheetahs in 2018.

Coombes, who turns 27 this week, earned two Ireland caps in the summer of 2021 after becoming the province’s youngest ever Player of the Year at the age of 24.

That campaign saw Coombes set a new record for the most tries in one season for the province, notching 15 in 22 appearances.

He is fourth on the list of all-time try-scorers for Munster behind Simon Zebo (73), Keith Earls (64) and Andrew Conway (50).

Coombes came up through the ranks at Skibbereen RFC and Bandon Grammar before moving up to the Munster senior squad in 2019.

He spent three years in the Academy, lining out for Young Munster in the AIL and helping Munster A win the British & Irish Cup in 2017.

The 2022/23 URC title-winning campaign saw Coombes make a huge contribution with 14 tries in 22 appearances.

He featured in all 25 games last season (20 starts), playing at no.8 and in the second row, scoring seven tries.

Coombes was a try-scorer against Stade Francais on Saturday and has scored five tries in seven appearances so far this season.

Two-year contract extensions have also been announced for Alex Nankivell and Shane Daly with Stephen Archer signing an extension until the end of the season.