“I’m not staying, but it hasn’t been confirmed where I’m going.”
With that came confirmation of what most in Irish rugby circles had known was coming. Damian De Allende is heading for the exit door at Munster.
‘Doogz’ has been a fine signing for Munster. The Springbok centre was solid and steady for his first few months, but exploded into life down the stretch of last season and has not let up since. He excelled against the Lions and then headed on to The Rugby Championship.
International commitments and Munster’s Covid run-ins, worsened by an aborted South African assignment, meant De Allende only played once before mid December, this season. He has seven outings so far this term but is fit and firing for this three month glut of fixtures.
At this afternoon’s press briefing to preview Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster, De Allende told reporters:
“I’m not staying in Europe, so I’m definitely not going to Bath, I haven’t spoken to anyone at Bath.
“I will not be staying in Europe as of the end of the season, which is unfortunate, but I’m looking forward to ending the season on a high, I really want to leave Munster with great memories I’ve made already, but some silverware as well.”
Malakai Fekitoa is already confirmed as a centre signing for 2022/23, and beyond, but Munster are still light in that department. The province’s academy does not currently have any other young centres on deck.
Enter Shane Daly, and an interesting choice that might suit his Munster chances better than getting another look-in with Ireland.
Shane Daly as a centre option
My first experiences of seeing Shane Daly in action were with Ireland U20s. He primarily featured as an outside centre, and impressed in both the Six Nations and U20 World Championship.
In a team that featured Jacob Stockdale, Max Deegan, Andrew Porter, Hugo Keenan, and captained by James Ryan, Daly scored tries in the semi-final and the final, in which they lost out to England. He certainly left an impression in that No.13 jersey.
Huge hit from Shane Daly on the Kiwi 15 #Wolfpuppies pic.twitter.com/xLUrOT63fm
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) June 11, 2016
After a stint with Ireland 7s, and since making his senior Munster debut, three and a half years ago, Daly has only made one outing in the red 13 jersey. That was against the Cheetahs, and he made a decent overall contribution that included a brilliant try-saving tackle.
Following that game, back in November 2018, he said, “I have played a lot of centre in 15s but playing Sevens has given me that ability to transition to the wing. All you can do is your best when you get the opportunity… There are so many great players in the squad.”
Since then, as often happens with younger backs finding their feet in senior squads, he was pushed out to the wings. He then got a chance at fullback and won the approval of not only Johann Van Graan, but Ireland coach Andy Farrell.
His two Test appearances have been off the bench, and as a winger. That back three versatility also represents his best chance of another look-in with Ireland [his last appearance was July 2021].
However, Daly could serve Munster better by really gunning for a centre spot over the summer. Alex McHenry is back from a loan spell at Wasps and you have Dan Goggin on the scene, as well as Chris Farrell and Rory Scannell.
The Munster larder is not as bare as some may have suggested, and Fekitoa will be eyeing that 13 jersey. Daly has all the skills, and poise, to feature in the Munster midfield. He would have to add some timber to his frame to operate at inside centre – he’s no Damian De Allende, but who is? – and could be that extra play-making option for their attack.
With Jonathan Wren and Patrick Campbell set to push for more back three starts next season, it is definitely one for all parties to consider.
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