He’s not the first to do it
JJ Hanrahan’s confirmed move to Aviva Premiership champions Northampton Saints has caused quite a stir, with the vast majority of Munster fans angry that one of the province’s brightest talents is being let go.
As career moves go, it looks to be a no-brainer for the Kerryman. He sees himself as an out-half first and foremost, and with Ian Keatley’s new deal at Munster, it seems like Hanrahan’s chances of grabbing the No 10 jersey were taking a big blow.
But while there is an element of risk with the move Hanrahan is set to take, plenty of current Irish Internationals have shown that leaving the provincial clique isn’t always a backwards step.
Mike Ross never got a look in for Munster during his early career. John Hayes wasn’t for budging (almost literally) from the starting line-up, and so Ross sought a new challenge elsewhere. Ross joined Harlequins in 2006, and got plenty of game-time during his three seasons, returning home in 2009 to join Leinster, and since returning he’s forced his way onto the Irish team, and is on course to reach 50 Irish caps by the time the World Cup rolls around.
Probably the best comparison to Hanrahan’s situation is that of Tommy Bowe. Bowe had been marked down as a real talent from an early age. He spent the first years of his career impressing for Ulster, before moving across the Irish Sea to Swansea in 2008 to join the Ospreys. His career only improved from there, and he went on to play a huge part for Ireland in the 2009 Grand Slam win, and has made back-to-back Lions tours since.
Likewise Eoin Reddan, who left Munster for Wasps aged 24, going on to win a Premiership title and a Heineken Cup in his four years in London, before further domestic and European success with Leinster from 2009 onwards. While Bowe didn’t have the frustration of being a back-up prior to his move away from his province, Reddan’s career was seemingly heading nowhere before he decided to join Wasps.
Game-time, particularly in his favoured position of out-half is likely to be the key factor in the young man’s move.
At Munster, Keatley has been the first choice out-half for the big games, with Hanrahan either consigned to a place on the bench, or featuring in his unfavoured positions of centre and most recently full-back. With Keatley signing a new contract, Hanrahan was unlikely to get his desired run at 10.
Of course, he still has to displace Stephen Myler at the top of the order at Northampton, but with Myler turning 31 at the end of his season, time is on Hanrahan’s side.
On top of that, Hanrahan is moving to a side that look to be getting better and better. Northampton won the Premiership last season, and their squad looks far better placed than Munster to pick up silverware, both domestically and in Europe, in the coming years.
As former IRB World Junior Player of the Year, it’s clear Hanrahan has major international ambitions. With Johnny Sexton, Ian Madigan, Keatley and Paddy Jackson all competing for Ireland’s No 10 jersey, the competition is too fierce for Hanrahan to rest on his laurels.
With Sexton’s long-term health debatable after multiple concussions, Hanrahan needs to remind Joe Schmidt that he is also an option at 10, something he would have little chance to do at Munster.
There’s also the financial aspect. Despite the salary cap in England, a big Premiership club like the Saints can make it financially rewarding for Hanrahan to make the move cross-channel.
A rugby career is short, and if Hanrahan can earn better money at a young age, while playing rugby at a high level, it’s perfectly understandable that he’d put his career ahead of loyalties.
The only losers here appear to be Munster. They’re losing one of their best young talents, and with new-signing Tyler Bleyendaal yet to feature for Munster, their back-up options remain unknown.
One potential winner for Munster though could be 21-year-old Rory Scannell. The Cork out-half could get some valuable game-time next Autumn, should Ian Keatley make Joe Schmidt’s Rugby World Squad.
Whatever the future holds, it’s sure to increase the Irish interest in next season’s Aviva Premiership.
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