Munster will host the Super Rugby champions Crusaders in the inaugural 'Clash of Champions' in 2024. The Crusaders, based in Canterbury, New Zealand, secured their seventh consecutive Super Rugby title by defeating the Chiefs in Waikato.
Today, it was confirmed that they will face off against Munster, the winners of the URC, on February 3rd next year.
Matchups between club sides from the northern and southern hemisphere are uncommon, although there was a suggestion for a Rugby Club World Cup last year, which received support from the URC and the Gallagher Premiership.
In the February 2024 fixture, Rob Penney, the incoming head coach of the Crusaders, will return to his former coaching ground. Penney previously coached Munster from 2012 to 2014. He will be replacing the highly successful Scott Robertson, who will take over as the All Blacks coach after the upcoming World Cup.
Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan said: "We are delighted to welcome the Super Rugby champions to Munster, hosting a ground-breaking fixture against the Crusaders. We hold a proud and rich history of playing touring sides and I’ve no doubt next February’s game will be a special occasion for all involved."
🚨 This is not a drill! 🚨
We are delighted to announce a historic #ClashofChampions in Munster as we host #SuperRugbyPacific holders Crusaders on Sat, Feb 3, 2024 🏆🏆
Ticket details will be released once venue is confirmed with a pre-sale for the @MRSC16.#MUNvCRU #SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) June 29, 2023
Colin Mansbridge, Crusaders CEO, added: "The Crusaders are thrilled to be coming over to Ireland and the UK to face some stiff competition away from home".
"NZ and Australian clubs have been working on the World Club Competition for years, so when an opportunity for Super teams to play Northern Hemisphere counterparts came up, it was just too good to pass up. Munster have a history of giving touring sides a pretty hard time, so they present particularly tough competition. There’s also the added connection with our new head coach Rob Penney, who coached there."
The venue, and the ticket details, will be confirmed in due course", said Munster.
