John Hodnett signs new two-year Munster contract

Munster have confirmed that back-row forward John Hodnett has signed a new two-year contract, extending his stay at Thomond Park until the summer of 2028.

The Rosscarbery native follows fellow back-rower Brian Gleeson in committing his future to the province this week, underlining Munster’s focus on retaining homegrown talent.

Hodnett has been restricted by injury this season but has still managed to score once in six appearances and is expected to return shortly after recovering from a thumb issue.

The 27-year-old has now scored 16 tries in 87 appearances for Munster since making his senior debut in 2020.

One of the standout moments of his career came in the 2023 United Rugby Championship final, where he produced a player-of-the-match performance and scored the decisive late try in Munster’s win over the Stormers in Cape Town.

A product of Clonakilty RFC, Hodnett was part of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning Under-20 side in 2019. He made his Champions Cup debut in December 2021 after recovering from an Achilles injury and was later selected for the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa in 2022.

He enjoyed a strong 2023/24 campaign, making 18 appearances and bringing up his 50th Munster cap against Connacht on New Year’s Day.