Clayton McMillan Confirms Tadhg Beirne’s Leadership Role at Munster

Clayton McMillan has indicated that Tadhg Beirne is likely to continue as the captain of Munster Rugby for the upcoming season. McMillan, who is entering his inaugural season as head coach, emphasized the significance of strong leadership across the entire team. Beirne, who was the only Munster player selected for Andy Farrell‘s British & Irish Lions squad this summer, played a pivotal role in the team’s 2-1 series victory against Australia, starting in all three Tests at blindside flanker.

Beirne first took on the captaincy role last year, succeeding Peter O’Mahony following his appointment by McMillan’s predecessor, Graham Rowntree. As the 33-year-old prepares to start pre-season training next week, he is expected to return to action in URC Round 4 against Leinster at Croke Park.

When asked about Beirne’s status as captain during a press conference on Tuesday, McMillan responded, “I think so, yeah.” He noted that Beirne did not initially seek the leadership role but has since recognized its importance. “It took time for him to adjust to that role, but he feels he learned some really valuable lessons throughout the season,” McMillan explained.

Although Beirne did not captain the Lions during their tour, he gained valuable insights into effective leadership, which has bolstered his confidence in continuing the role at Munster. McMillan shared that he plans to reconnect with Beirne upon his return next week to discuss his leadership position further.

The Munster head coach also highlighted the performance of Craig Casey, who captained the Irish team during the summer tour. McMillan received positive feedback from coaches involved in the tour, stating, “He was outstanding.” He underscored the necessity of identifying leaders beyond established internationals, noting, “We can’t have the ship fall over just because a couple of people aren’t there.”

McMillan’s focus extends to nurturing quieter leaders within the squad, as he aims to build resilience throughout the team. He used the performance levels seen in the 2025 Lions to illustrate his aspirations for Munster’s consistency.

“It’s about not necessarily judging ourselves on the days when we’re at our best. It’s about judging ourselves when we’re at our worst,” he stated. Beirne, described as a world-class player, exemplifies this philosophy—while a stellar performance might score a 9.5, even a slightly off day should maintain a score of 7.5. “If you’re at seven, you still give yourself a really good chance of winning that game,” McMillan remarked, stressing the need for every player to elevate their baseline performance.

As Munster prepares for the new season, the focus on leadership and consistency could prove crucial in their quest for success in the competitive landscape of rugby.