Two former Munster Rugby players return to the province as coaches

Munster players, from left, Clodagh O'Halloran, Chloe Pearse and Deirbhile Nic a Bháird celebrate after the Women's Interprovincial Championship final match between Leinster and Munster at Energia Park in 2023 | SPORTSFILE

placeholder image — Munster players, from left, Clodagh O'Halloran, Chloe Pearse and Deirbhile Nic a Bháird celebrate after the Women's Interprovincial Championship final match between Leinster and Munster at Energia Park in 2023 | SPORTSFILE

Nicole Cronin and Chloe Pearse have returned to the province in a coaching capacity

The 2026 Vodafone Interprovincial Championship kicks off in Virgin Media Park on Saturday, August 8 as titleholders Munster face rivals Leinster at 2:30pm.

Former Munster Rugby players Nicole Cronin and Chloe Pearse have joined the province’s backroom team ahead of the upcoming season, which gets underway next month.

Head Coach Matt Brown has assembled a backroom team full of experience.

Brown began his coaching career in Munster as a CCRO (Club Community Rugby Officer), and is now a pathway development coach for the province.

Outside of Munster he has previously coached at Galwegians, Clanwilliam, Railway Union, Old Wesley, Old Crescent, and Shannon, along with a number of Munster's age-grade teams.

Both Pearse and Cronin have had stellar careers for both Munster and Ireland and join Browne’s Munster team for the season ahead.

“When Matt gave us the call to come back, we were delighted try to contribute to Munster for the season ahead,” Pearse said.

“Our roles as players and coaches is to try and make sure we’re leaving a good path-way, that when people leave, it’s not a case of “who comes in next?”, it’s a case of already having someone prepped and primed and I think we can see that this year.

“Girls who were on development squads are in the main squad with us now and that’s testament to the coaching and the programme.

“You have to show up, whether you’re the hunted or the hunter. Looking back on games last year where we were successful, there are things we can still improve on and that’s what drives performances, the Limerick native said.

Nicole Cronin, cousin of former Irish internationals Seán and Neil Cronin, says she is enjoying the coaching side of rugby life.

“I played a small part last year just helping out and I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did, I really enjoyed the coaching side of things.

“It’s been hugely enjoyable and it’s great to be back with a couple of friends as well.”

“The players have gone really well. It’s always a bit tough at the start because you have internationals coming back, injured players coming back and the girls have worked incredibly hard.

“It’s building quite nicely as we get through this block of pre-season training.

“The approach never changes, we’re always looking for trophies and silverware.

“Of course we’re looking for good performances and there has to be an element of enjoying it too to achieve those good performances but the goal has always been the same, we want to win,” Cronin said.