The Crusaders the reigning DHL Super Rugby Pacific champions, will take on Munster in Cork to start the season on Saturday 3rd Feb 2024. One week later, After they will play the Bristol Bears on Saturday, February 9, at Bristol.
The Crusaders are travelling outside of the South Pacific for the first time since their 2019 round 14 match in Cape Town against the Stormers. The team was excited about the chance for preseason competition that their quick tour offers, according to new coach Rob Penney.
The United Rugby Championship is held by Munster, a longstanding opponent of New Zealand sides, whose notable victory over the All Blacks in 1978 is just one of their many achievements. Teams from Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales participate.
Crusaders are ready for Munster showdown
Ian Flanagan, chief executive of Munster Rugby, stated that there was a lot of enthusiasm leading up to the match.
The fact that this is only the second Munster rugby match to be held in the Pairc Ul Chaoimh heightens the occasion and makes it possible for a larger audience to see the historic occasion.
They hold great meaning for the club and its supporters, and we have a long history of defeating touring teams. We’re quite excited to have the famed Crusaders visit Munster.”
“Everyone at Bristol Bears is hugely excited to welcome the Crusaders,” stated Gavin Marshall, chief executive of the Bristol Bears.
“This excitement is also evident among our fan base, as evidenced by the incredible rate at which tickets are selling and the likelihood of another sell-out crowd at Ashton Gate.
As we are ready to welcome one of the best club sides on the planet, rugby fans nationwide and the expat community find this fixture to be unique.”
The Munster match will begin at six in the morning and be broadcast on Sky Sport 2.