Munster Rugby has confirmed that seven players will leave the province this summer as preparations continue for the new season.

Senior players Tony Butler, Fionn Gibbons, Paddy Patterson, and Andrew Smith will all depart, while Academy trio George Hadden, Darragh McSweeney, and Dylan Hicks have also completed their time with the province.

Out-half Tony Butler made 28 appearances for Munster, scoring 76 points during his five years with the province. The Ennis native, who won a Grand Slam with the Ireland Under-20s in 2022, made his senior debut against Wasps in the Champions Cup in 2021 and impressed in Munster’s victory over Argentina XV earlier this season.

Fionn Gibbons, another member of Ireland’s 2022 Grand Slam-winning Under-20 side, made three senior appearances for Munster after progressing through the Academy system.

Scrum-half Paddy Patterson departs after making 51 appearances and scoring five tries since joining Munster from the Leinster Academy in 2021. He played a key role in Munster’s URC title-winning campaign in 2022/23 and earned his 50th cap earlier this year.

Andrew Smith leaves after a short but impactful spell with the province. The former Connacht and Ireland Sevens player scored four tries in 11 appearances, including a memorable try in Munster’s Champions Cup victory over La Rochelle.

Among the departing Academy players, George Hadden was part of Ireland’s Under-20 Grand Slam-winning side in 2023, while Darragh McSweeney helped Ireland Under-20s secure a Grand Slam in 2022. Out-half Dylan Hicks also represented Ireland at the Under-20 level and gained valuable experience in the All-Ireland League.

Munster Rugby thanked all seven players for their contributions to the province and wished them every success in the next stage of their careers.

The province says full details of the squad that will begin pre-season training will be announced in the coming weeks.

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