Downey To Link Up With Munster

Munster Rugby have announced that Northampton Saints centre James Downey will be joining them at the end of the current season.

James Downey, who had a previous stint with Munster during the 2006/07 campaign, joined Northampton Saints at the start of the 2007/08 season and quickly established himself as a regular in their matchday squad.

In November 2010 he made his 100th appearance for the club and to date has made 135 appearances, scoring 12 tries in the process.

A Churchill Cup winner with Ireland ‘A’ in June 2009, the 30-year-old began his career in Leinster before moving to Connacht for two seasons and now returns to Munster on a two-year deal.

Commenting on the news, Munster head coach Tony McGahan said: “James is a quality player who has been on our radar for some time now.

“We’ve seen at first hand, on several occasions in recent times in the Heineken Cup, exactly what he has to offer and believe that his style and his attitude can only enhance our squad.”