Munster confirm forward’s departure to Japan after seven years at club

Jack O’Sullivan of Munster during the United Rugby Championship Round 6 match between Leinster Rugby and Munster Rugby at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on October 22, 2022 (Photo by Andrew SURMA/ SIPA USA).

Long-serving Munster back-row Jack O’Sullivan will leave the United Rugby Championship outfit to begin a new chapter playing in the Japan Rugby League One.

25-year-old O’Sullivan made his Munster debut against the Dragons in 2019 and has gone on to score six tries in 35 appearances during his stint at the Irish province.

The forward joined the academy at the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign and made his Champions Cup bow in the 2020/21 season before signing a three-year deal.

Moving on

O’Sullivan, who is the first cousin of both Munster veterans Niall and Rory Scannell, played 10 games for Munster during his first campaign with the senior squad.

He would go on to feature six times in 2021/22 before playing nine times in their United Rugby Championship title-winning season, scoring a try away at Benetton.

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This season, he has had limited opportunities to impress but did start at number eight in Munster’s victory against the Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in November.

O’Sullivan made his final appearance for the province against Zebre Parma at Virgin Media Park in March, with Munster wishing the back-row well with his move.

“Our thanks to Jack for his contribution to Munster Rugby and we wish him the very best with his move to Japan,” read a club statement on Munster’s official website.

O’Sullivan, who has struggled for game time due to the form of Gavin Coombes and Jack O’Donoghue, joins the Munster outgoings as their season draws to a close.

Also leaving the province will be club legend and full-back Simon Zebo, centre Antoine Frisch, fly-half Joey Carbery, lock RG Snyman and back-row Daniel Okeke.