Munster Rugby have announced that Jimmy Duffy will join from rival province Ulster, to be the new Forwards Coach ahead of the 2026/27 season. Duffy signs on a with two-year deal.
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A vastly experienced coach who specialises in developing and bringing through aspiring young talent, Duffy is a former Connacht lock who played a key role as Assistant Coach in the province’s 2016 PRO12 title win.
Jimmy Duffy said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Munster Rugby and I’m excited for the challenge ahead. There is a great deal of potential at the club and I’m looking forward to working with the players and staff over the coming seasons.”
As a player, he lined out for his province, the Ireland U21s, Ireland A and the Barbarians before his promising playing career was cut short at the age of just 21 for medical reasons.
From there he started coaching at junior level before progressing through the coaching system – working as a Coach Development Officer at grassroots level and as an Elite Player Development Officer in the Connacht Academy.
He worked with young players as Head Coach of the Connacht U20s and also held Assistant Coach roles with the Connacht Eagles and the Ireland U18 Clubs team over a number of years.
After earning a promotion to the role of Assistant Coach with Connacht in 2015, his first season with the senior men’s team saw them capture the PRO12 title. Duffy spent six years on the Connacht coaching team before opting to move on for a new challenge in 2021.
He was involved with the Tonga national team on their northern Hemisphere tour in 2021 and joined the Ireland U20s coaching team in 2022, helping the side to a Grand Slam title. The former lock moved to Australia in 2022 and joined Super Rugby outfit Western Force as Forwards Coach.
After two successful years in Perth, he returned to Ireland and has spent the past two seasons at Ulster Rugby, playing an important role in developing the province’s forward talent.
Seán Cronin, who coached the senior team’s scrum throughout the 2025/26 season, will return to this role as Provincial Talent Coach on a full-time basis. In addition, Seán will take on the additional remit of Pathway Scrum Coach where he will be responsible for the individual development of emerging front row forwards and deliver a scrum programme throughout the talent system.
Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “Jimmy is an excellent addition to our coaching team. He has proven himself as a quality coach with teams across the URC, Super Rugby and the Ireland U20s.
“He comes with a glowing reputation for developing players and driving high standards and accountability. When we spoke, I was impressed with Jimmy’s sense of purpose, his attention to detail and work ethic.
“I have no doubt he has the tools to drive us forward and look I forward to working alongside him next season.”
General Manager Ian Costello said: “We are delighted to have secured a coach of Jimmy’s calibre ahead of next season.
“Throughout this process he demonstrated a real passion for driving the identity and DNA of the forward pack and his expertise in developing and improving young forwards makes him a perfect fit with so many exciting young players coming through the system.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Seán Cronin for the excellent work he did with the senior team last season.
“I am excited about the impact he will have on developing and delivering a scrum programme for the promising talent we have coming through our pathway.”
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