Battle of the champions: URC's Munster set to tackle Super Rugby powerhouses Crusaders - report

United Rugby Champions (URC) winners, Munster, look set to tackle Super Rugby Pacific counterparts, the Crusaders, in a friendly clash next year.

According to Rugby Pass, the match will take place at Thomond Park in Limerick, Ireland, in January.

Munster won the 2022/23 URC when they upset the Stormers 19-14 in the final in Cape Town last month, while the Crusaders won a seventh consecutive Super Rugby crown when they beat the Chiefs 25-20 in the final in Hamilton last weekend.

The match would see new Crusaders coach Rob Penney face the Irish club he coached between 2012 and 2014. Penney will replace Scott Robertson as Crusaders coach, with the latter set to take over as All Blacks mentor after this year's World Cup.

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If the clash is confirmed, it could also whet the appetite of fans eager to see a world club championship established.

Recent reports indicated the proposed 16-team 'Club World Cup' had been agreed upon in principle and could potentially kick off in 2025 ahead of the British & Irish Lions' tour of Australia. The event would be held every four years.