A tantalising European opportunity has been squandered, but the proud province are intent on defending their URC title.
Ahead of the weekend's restart derbies in the Guinness PRO14, we run through the new arrivals and the departures at each Irish province since lockdown.
The departure of four more players, including Ciaran Parker, brings to eight the number exiting Munster following the suspended 2019/20 campaign.
Springbok Rugby World Cup winners RG Snyman and Damian Allende have landed in Ireland and will play in the PRO14 inter-provincials slated for August.
Tyler Bleyendaal, the 29-year-old Munster and ex-Crusaders player, retired on Wednesday on medical grounds after sustaining another injury in November 2019.
Big-name European rugby signings catch the eye and grab column inches, but it is often less-heralded transfers that end up making the biggest difference.
From New Zealand, out-half Bleyendaal last lined out for Munster in November 2019 and has been advised to retire from professional rugby on medical grounds.
With Joey Carbery and Tyler Bleyendaal off-limits due to injury, fans of the Irish province are concerned that the hamstrung Hanrahan might be an accident waiting to happen.
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Heineken Champions Cup match between Munster and Racing 92 at Thomond Park.
