Munster Rugby are pleased to announce the promotion of Max Clein from the Academy to the senior squad ahead of next season on a one-year deal.
Clein becomes the fourth Academy player to be promoted to the senior squad this year, joining back three player Ben O’Connor, flanker Seán Edogbo and tighthead prop Ronan Foxe.
Clein played his underage rugby in the back-row and was a a Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup winner with Crescent College Comprehensive in 2022, lining out alongside Ruadhán Quinn.
The 22-year-old played his underage rugby with Garryowen, Villiers School and Crescent College. On leaving school, he switched position to hooker and made his AIL debut with Garryowen in October 2022.
After impressing in his 13 AIL appearances with Garryowen in 2022/23, he also featured for Munster A and a Munster Development side and helped the Ireland U20s reach the final of the World Championships in 2023.
Clein joined the Munster Rugby Academy in October 2023 and made his first senior appearance in the uncapped friendly against Harlequins in February 2024.
Over his three years in the Academy, Clein has featured regularly for Garryowen and Munster A and earned his first Munster cap against Argentina XV at Thomond Park last November.
Munster Rugby General Manager Ian Costello said:
“Max has made a successful conversion from playing in the backrow at schools level to signing his first professional contract as a hooker in only four years. This is extremely rare in professional sport.
“Huge credit goes to the Academy staff who supported Max throughout this journey and to Max himself for the dedication and commitment necessary to reach this milestone.”