Munster seal deal for Crusaders prop Borlase

MUNSTER have bolstered their front-row options with the signing of Crusaders prop Peter Borlase.

The 25-year-old will complete the switch to Thomond Park at the end of commitments with Canterbury in the ITM Cup.

The Christchurch-born tighthead has won 20 caps for the province – with two appearances coming in the Super 14 with the Crusaders last season. And Canterbury coach Rob Penney admits the departure of Borlase will be a loss for the side.

“It is a shame to have lost a player so young who has still to reach his potential, but opportunities to play at a club like Munster do not occur very often,” Penney said. “We wish him well.”

While little is known about Borlase on this side of the rugby would, his build – he is 6’3” and 18 stone – suggests he could be an asset to Munster as a lineout lifter, as well as in the scrum. He is likely to act as understudy for Munster’s Irish international tightheads, John Hayes and Tony Buckley, but can also play at loosehead if required.

Given Borlase – who is also a qualified builder – has not been capped by New Zealand, he could feasibly be Irish-qualified under the residency rule in three years’ time.

Munster recently re-signed Springbok loosehead Wian du Preez, who had a successful three-month stint with them last season. He will compete with experienced Irish international Marcus Horan for that slot, while Darragh Hurley is also back in the loosehead mix after spending most of the past campaign on the sidelines with a freak eye injury. Hurley sustained an eye tear which became infected, but the 24-year-old has reportedly got the all-clear to resume training.

Another talented but injury-prone prop, Dave Ryan, is also knocking at the door, and like Borlase can play on both sides of the scrum.

Stephen Archer is next in line, having been promoted from academy to a full-time development contract.