Barron, Loughman and Patterson extend Munster stay

Munster have confirmed that hooker Diarmuid Barron, prop Jeremy Loughman and scrum-half Paddy Patterson have all signed contract extensions with the province.

The trio have each agreed two-year deals to remain at Thomond Park until the summer of 2025.

Hooker Barron has established himself as the province's first choice in the last 12 months, and is one of the contenders to replace Peter O'Mahony as captain of the province, having filled the role in recent weeks while O'Mahony and Jack O'Donoghue were injured.

The Tipperary native has played 63 times for Munster since his debut in 2018, and was among the tryscorers in their BKT United Rugby Championship final win against the Stormers in May. While Barron remains uncapped for Ireland at Test level, he did spend time in camp with the squad in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup, and he has featured for Ireland A and Emerging Ireland.

Loughman's future is also secure, with the 28-year-old agreeing a two-year extension.

The loosehead prop, who joined from Leinster's academy in 2017, is set to make his 90th appearance for Munster in this Saturday's Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne, while he has won four Ireland caps, one of which came at the Rugby World Cup this year.

There's also an extension for scrum-half Patterson, who has recently returned from a long-term knee issue.

The 25-year-old Dublin native had been enjoying a breakthrough season prior to that injury in 2022/23, and briefly kept Conor Murray out of the line-up last January.