Munster appoint Alex Codling as forwards coach ahead of new season
MUNSTER HAVE ANNOUNCED that Alex Codling will become the province's forwards coach for the 2025/2026 season.
Codling takes up the role after joining Munster as a forwards coach consultant last November. He worked with the province throughout the remainder of the 2024/25 season while also working with Ireland senior women's squad. Codling will continue to work as a forwards coach with Ireland for the upcoming women's World Cup.
He will begin his role with Munster on 1 October, with incoming Head Coach Clayton McMillan fulfilling the role of forwards coach during the pre-season period. He will be supported by elite player development officer Tommy O'Donnell.
Advertisement
Codling was previously head coach of Premiership side Newcastle Falcons and also held a coaching role with the senior England men's team, Harlequins and Oyonnax.
Meanwhile, Brad Mayo has been unveilled as Munster's new head of athletic performance. Mayo comes into the role this summer having worked with Brumbies, Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors and most recently was head of athletic performance with New Zealand Super Rugby side, The Hurricanes.
He worked with new Munster boss Clayton McMillan in the role of strength and conditioning coach for the All Blacks XV during their Northern Hemisphere Tour.
'Alex's impact since he began working with us in November has been excellent and we are delighted that he will be back with us for the 2025/26 season,' said Munster's General Manager Ian Costello.
'We also look forward to welcoming Brad to Munster this summer. Brad has worked in elite environments all over the world and I'm sure he will be a huge addition to the high-performance team.
'Securing the services of Alex and Brad in conjunction with the arrival of Clayton adds to a top class coaching and performance support team as we look forward to the new season.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Gareth Bale makes takeover approach to buy former Premier League club from unpopular owner following Plymouth links
GARETH BALE wants to buy hometown club Cardiff. The 3 Cardiff is the subject of takeover interest from local lad Gareth Bale Credit: Getty 3 It follows Bale having links with Plymouth Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Bale's group sent a letter of intent to Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan last month, which was rejected. But it is believed the desire to acquire the club, relegated from the Championship, remains strong. The 35-year-old was born in Cardiff and his uncle Chris Pike played for the Welsh club as a striker between 1989 and 1993. Bale, who had a glittering career for Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and LAFC as well as for the Dragons, had been linked with a takeover at Plymouth. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL He led his country to their first World Cup since 1958 as well as appearing at two Euros finals, including the incredible run to the 2016 semi-finals. Bale is also Wales' most-capped player on 111 caps and record goalscorer after netting 41 times. He did not play for Cardiff but the ex-forward did have talks with the club in 2022 after he left Real. Instead, Bale went to LAFC before he officially retired in January 2023. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Bale's potential investment in Cardiff comes just weeks after ex-Spurs and Real team-mate Wales rivals Swansea. Cardiff appointed Brian Barry-Murphy this week ahead of their first campaign in the third tier since 2003. Watch hilarious moment Gareth Bale's golf ball stolen by a DOG as baffled Real Madrid legend watches on After Omer Riza was sacked in April, Wales star Aaron Ramsey was interim boss for three games. But Bale's close pal is set for a move to continue his playing career in Mexico. 3
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Aston Villa drop major hint Emi Martinez is set for Man Utd transfer with clubs ‘holding talks over move'
ASTON VILLA have dropped a hint over Emi Martinez's future amid his links to Manchester United. The goalkeeper is expected to leave Villa Park this summer and appeared to say his goodbyes at the end of last season. Advertisement 2 Emi Martinez could join Manchester United Credit: Alamy 2 Lucas Chevalier is being lined up as a potential replacement Credit: Getty Martinez is said to be on United's transfer wishlist with fresh reports claiming the Red Devils have made contact with his agent. Argentinian outlet Several clubs are interested in the World Cup winner but And it has been suggested Villa will demand a £34million fee, which will likely go towards his replacement. Advertisement READ MORE ON MAN UTD The French side are demanding £40m for the 23-year-old after Villa enquired about his availability. United also The Red Devils have prioritised selling players in order to fund potential Advertisement Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS SunSport revealed Newcastle are planning to While Jadon Sancho is being Gyokeres trying to force Arsenal move | Newcastle eye Rashford deal | Transfers Exposed
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Botafogo striker Igor Jesus is modern Didier Drogba who scored winner v PSG and will be at Nottingham Forest next season
IN the space of the current decade, Botafogo of Rio have gone from Brazil's second division, to reigning national and South American champions, to unlikely conquerors of Paris Saint Germain. The extraordinary rise has been bankrolled by US businessman John Textor, who also owns France and is trying to sell his stake in Crystal Palace . Advertisement 11 Igor Jesus scored the only goal as Botafogo beat PSG Credit: Getty 11 Nottingham Forest will be delighted they got him before the Club World Cup Credit: Getty 11 The forward has already been playing and scoring for Brazil ahead of his move to the Premier League Credit: AFP But the Botafogo story is now just a tale of the chequebook. It is also about wonderful work by the scouting department - exemplified by the case of centre forward Igor Jesus. The The 24-year-old began his professional career with Coritiba in the south of Brazil , where he showed promise but not much more. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And then he found his way to Shabab Al Alhi in the Arab Emirates. This took him off the radar screen of most people - but not Botafogo. He did well in his new surroundings, and even had an offer to take on local citizenship and play for the national team. He declined, declaring that he was prepared to wait for an opportunity to play for Brazil . Advertisement Most read in Football It seemed a fanciful dream but Botafogo were watching and signed him on a free when his contract ran out. They brought him back to Brazil where he was unknown but they unleashed him in July of last year. Watch Lionel Messi's incredible Club World Cup free-kick for Inter Miami as fans say he's 'from another planet' And by September he was playing and scoring for Brazil in World Cup qualification. Advertisement Amid the recent turmoil of the Brazilian national team he soon lost his place. But he will be back - especially because he gave new coach Carlo Ancelotti a powerful demonstration of his merits. Ancelotti arrived to coach Brazil at the end of May. The next day he called up his first squad - without Igor Jesus. 11 Igor already has two goals in the ongoing Club World Cup Credit: AFP Advertisement 11 He is regarded as one of the hottest strikers in South America at the moment Credit: Getty And the day after he was in Botafogo's stadium for a crunch game in the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League. Botafogo had to win to stay in the competition and defend the title they won last year. They were up against Universidad de Chile who found themselves a man up early in the match. Advertisement Nottingham Forest's other signing, gangling centre back Jair Cunha, launched himself into a bad tackle and was sent off. Botafogo had to win the game with ten men - and Igor Jesus ensured that they did. Textor has described him as the perfect centre forward. He has a strong physical presence, he can hold the ball up and shrug off defenders. 11 The Brazilian already has a trademark celebration which Forest fans will love Credit: Getty Advertisement 11 He loves to go to the fans after he scores a goal Credit: Reuters He is quick and mobile, able to work the channels and he has an extraordinary spirit of sacrifice. In the final of last year's Libertadores against fellow Brazilians Atletico MIneiro, Botafogo had a man sent off in the first thirty seconds. Igor Jesus had to dedicate himself to being the first line of defence, and carried out the task tirelessly. Advertisement In this game against Universidad de Chile he had to be the first line of defence and the cutting edge of the attack - Botafogo had to win. Every time he got on the ball he was a nightmare for the Chilean defenders and he scored the goal that takes his side through to the knock out phase. Against PSG he had to go through his repertoire against much better defenders. 11 He dominated the PSG backline all game Credit: AP Advertisement 11 He's been compared to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba Credit: Reuters And he worried Lucas Beraldo and William Pacho all through the game, giving options for the besieged Botafogo defenders to clear their lines, combining with his midfielders, and charging towards Textor appeared after the match to thank Igor Jesus by pretending to polish his boot. Igor Jesus is looking increasingly like a modern day version of Didier Drogba - a one man forward line capable of performing every function a striker needs to do and able to take on entire defences all on his own. Advertisement His performance would not have been enough to secure victory without the splendid disciplined defending of his team-mates in which Jair Cunha played the game of his life. The 20-year-old was signed at the start of the season after helping 11 Forest fans will be delighted with the signing they've made Credit: AP 11 He's got the making of a modern day centre forward who can do it all Credit: Getty Advertisement Injuries meant that he has been thrown in at the deep end and it has not always been easy. He can struggle for balance and though he scored with a towering header in the opening game against Seattle Sounders, he had plenty of defensive problems. But he rose to the challenge in fine style against PSG. He was well protected, and able to spend the game defending in reduced space. But he kept his head well under pressure and made Forest fans hope that Igor Jesus will not be the only Brazilian signing making an impact next season at the City Ground. Advertisement Club World Cup 2025 Guide SOME of the world's biggest clubs are heading Stateside for a MAMMOTH Club World Cup. Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane will be showing their skills to packed crowds across the US. Los Blancos are favourites to lift the trophy in New York but will face stiff competition from around the globe. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the tournament... INFO Everything you need to know ahead of the Club World Cup LATEST NEWS & FEATURES
