Alex Nankivell and Stephen Archer sign contract extensions with Munster
STAYING PUT: Munster's Alex Nankivell has extended his contract. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Munster and the IRFU have confirmed that Alex Nankivell and Stephen Archer have signed contract extensions with the province.
Archer, who is Munster’s record appearance-holder with 290, has extended his deal until the end of the season while Nankivell has signed a two-year extension which will see the centre remain at the province until at least 2027.
The 28-year-old Nankivell joined Munster from the Chiefs in the summer of 2023 and immediately established himself as a key member of the squad.
His debut season saw the Māori All Black become a fans’ favourite with his all-action displays, which saw him score three tries in 19 appearances.
Nankivell has scored one try in three appearances so far this campaign but he returned from a hip injury to help Munster secure an important URC win over Emirates Lions at Thomond Park on Saturday.
This is Archer's 16th campaign with the team and after making 21 appearances last season, the 36-year-old has featured in six games so far this year.
Elsewhere, Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Peter O’Mahony have linked up with the Munster squad at the High Performance Centre following the conclusion of Ireland's Autumn Nations Series.
Beirne, Casey, Crowley and O’Mahony were involved in Ireland's win over Australia at the weekend but the quartet, along with Nash and Murray, have now returned to their province as preparations begin ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Stade Francais at Thomond Park (kick-off is at 5.30pm).
Also over the weekend there were two Munster sides in action as Munster A beat Ulster in the Interprovincial Championship on Friday with the senior men’s team securing a vital URC win over the Lions.
On the injury front, Nankivell (hip), Shane Daly (leg) and Thaakir Abrahams (thigh) all made successful returns to action in the URC while Liam Coombes (leg) made his return for Munster A and came through the game with no issues.
Mike Haley was removed as a precaution on Saturday having passed all HIA tests while Oli Jager (neck) is increasing his training load and is nearing a return to full training. Jean Kleyn (neck) is also improving but he remains unavailable this week.
Edwin Edogbo (Achilles) is gradually increasing his running volume and targeting a return to training in the New Year.
