Hanrahan still has a future with Munster, insists boss Foley

Anthony Foley has insisted JJ Hanrahan has a future with Munster and his lack of game time so far this season has been due to a late start to pre-season.

Munster head coach Foley was yesterday on a mission to explain the status of the exciting out-half, following reports the 22-year-old has been offered a lucrative deal with English champions Northampton Saints when his current deal runs out next summer.

The suggestion Hanrahan might be contemplating leaving his native province will be seen as a distraction within the Munster camp ahead of their do-or-die European Champions Cup trip to Clermont Auvergne on Sunday. Hanrahan was left on the bench in last Saturday’s home defeat to Clermont, with the Kerry man having started just four times in nine appearances this season, two of those at full-back.

Foley, though, cited Hanrahan’s recovery from a long-standing groin condition, osteitis pubis, and when asked if he was part of Munster’s future, replied: “Totally. He is a young player that we have a lot of time for. We’ve looked after him very well in his preparation this season.

“We have made sure that an injury he has been carrying for a couple of seasons we have got rid of this year so he can become a better player in terms of the load he can take during the week and the extra kicking and the extra preparation he can do around his game, We allowed that.

“The consequence of doing that meant he started the season a month behind everyone else and he is playing a small bit of catch-up now.” Foley said contract negotiations with Hanrahan were “ongoing” and added: “When most players go about the national contracts, you see them over in Toulouse and Perpignan, and in the old days Biarritz.

“There would be fellas flying out and making sure they’re seen elsewhere. It’s all part of it. You don’t want it out in the public that fellas are up for negotiations, because with quality players like JJ, teams come around and want him, so it’s important for Munster to keep our own players coming through.”