COMMENT: Munster regroup after star’s departure

Names are flying around for a quality replacement at Munster following the announcement JJ Hanrahan will quit the province and join Northampton at the end of the season.

But, within the set-up, there remains genuine mystification at their homegrown star’s decision to move abroad.

Munster have already been linked with moves for Waratahs and Australia centre Rob Horne and All Blacks wing/centre Ben Smith since the 22-year-old Hanrahan sent shockwaves through Irish rugby by opting to turn down what is understood to be a new three-year deal in his native province, instead taking up the offer of a two-year contract with England’s current Premiership leaders.