Reports on Monday suggest that Munster are set for a huge friendly against Super Rugby champions Crusaders early next year.
Munster won the 2022-23 URC crown by taking a sensational victory in the Grand Final against the Stormers in Cape Town last month, winning their first silverware in 12 years.
After learning their Champions Cup draw for next season, an exclusive report from RugbyPass on Monday now suggests that there will be additional excitement for Munster fans early next year, as the URC champions face off with the 2022 Super Rugby champions in a huge inter-continental friendly.
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Munster set for inter-continental friendly v Super Rugby champions
Games between southern hemisphere sides and European sides are rare, but it seems as though Munster fans will get a flavour for them next January.
The exclusive report from RugbyPass suggests that a pre-season tour for New Zealand's Crusaders will take in a game at Thomond Park against URC champions Munster.
The Crusaders - who will be coached next season by ex-Munster boss Rob Penney - have won the last five Super Rugby championships, and are by far the most successful team in the competition's history with 12 wins.
They were crowned 2023 champions on Saturday, when they defeated the Chiefs 25-20 in the final in Hamilton.
27 May 2023; Munster captain Peter O'Mahony, left, and Keith Earls lift the trophy as teammates celebrate after winning the United Rugby Championship Final match between DHL Stormers and Munster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Nic Bothma/Sportsfile
The 2024 Super Rugby season will get underway in February, making the game against Munster the perfect pre-season preparation for the Crusaders, but it will fall smack bang in the middle of a busy season for Munster.
With the Rugby World Cup taking place during the months of September and October, it will be a relentless season for Munster's international players, and there is also a revamped and confusing Champions Cup system to contend with.
Munster will face Aviron Bayonnais, Exeter Chiefs, Toulon, and Northampton Saints in a tricky pool stage, playing one game against each side, as they hope to kick on from last season's URC success.
The rumours of a friendly against esteemed opponents from Down Under will no doubt excite not only fans of Munster, but fans of European rugby, and will only add to the hopes of a Rugby Club World Cup.
URC chief Martin Anayi, as well as RFU CEO Bill Sweeney, have both spoken enthusiastically on the prospect of a Club World Cup every four years, to take place in the lead-up to the British and Irish Lions Tour, and taking the place of the Champions Cup knockout stages.
Could Munster's prospective friendly against the Crusaders serve as a test run?
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