Cronin: Munster exit a wise move

HOOKER Sean Cronin believes his decision to leave Munster and head to Connacht has paid dividends after he was named in Ireland’s starting line-up for their Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

While injuries to Rory Best and Jerry Flannery have helped to propel the 23-year-old into the role of first-choice hooker, Cronin is adamant the regular game time he has enjoyed in the Magners League and Amlin Challenge Cup this season with Connacht is what got him noticed in the first place.

“I moved up there to try and get some game time because I was behind the likes of Jerry Flannery and Frankie Sheehan when I was at Munster, so I wasn’t getting much game time or exposure,” said the former Munster Academy player.