Munster Confirm Latest Signings
Munster Rugby and the IRFU can confirm that Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Rory Scannell, Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams and Darren Sweetnam have all signed contract extensions, while Chris Farrell, JJ Hanrahan and James Hart will join the province next season.
The incoming Irish trio of Chris Farrell, JJ Hanrahan and James Hart have signed two-year contracts with Munster. Farrell and Hart will make the move from their respective Top 14 sides, Grenoble and Racing 92, while Hanrahan will return after two seasons with Aviva Premiership outfit Northampton Saints.
The 23-year-old Farrell is in his third season with Grenoble where he has made 70 appearances, scoring 10 tries. A former Ireland Under-20 player, the Belfast-born centre first played his professional rugby with Ulster.
Currently with Racing 92, scrum half Hart has made 12 appearances this season, his most recent as a replacement during last Saturday’s Champions Cup encounter with Munster at Thomond Park. Before joining the Paris club, the 25-year-old played his rugby with Farrell at Grenoble, making 60 appearances.
Kerryman Hanrahan returns to the province after two seasons with Northampton Saints. The 24-year-old has played on 30 occasions for the English club, lining out in the centre and at out-half.
Meanwhile, there was further positive news with contract extensions for out-half Tyler Bleyendaal and for the homegrown talents of prop Dave Kilcoyne, the Scannell brothers, hooker Niall and centre Rory (pictured below), scrum half Duncan Williams and winger Darren Sweetnam.
Kilcoyne’s contract runs up until June 2020, while the others have signed extensions that will see them remain with the province until at least June 2019.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Tomas O’Leary, who joined Top 14 club Montpellier on a short-term loan in October, will not be returning to Munster. The 33-year-old scrum half made 145 appearances in the red jersey, scoring 10 tries.
Commenting on the new signings, Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said: “I’ve always indicated our intention to recruit Irish-qualified players where and when possible so to secure the young trio of Farrell, Hanrahan and Hart is great for the province and Irish rugby in general.
“In addition to being hugely talented, they bring a wealth of knowledge with their combined experiences from playing abroad and this will help with our overall squad development.”
Referring to the contract extensions, the South African added: “I’ve talked about maximising our potential time and time again. Retaining players such as Killer (Dave Kilcoyne), Niall, Rory, Tyler, Duncan and Sweets (Darren Sweetnam) is key to our long-term plans and they have all played an integral role in our success so far this season.
“Developing homegrown players is at the core of everything we do and it’s rewarding to see five players who have advanced from the Munster pathway commit their future to the province, while also recognising the efforts of Tyler who has overcome long-term injury to make his mark in the squad this season.”