Munster confirm signing of Leinster duo Michael Milne and Lee Barron

Munster also announced on Wednesday that academy prop Kieran Ryan has signed his first senior deal. 

MUNSTER BOUND: Michael Milne moves south from Leinster on a two-year deal. Pic: Brendan Moran, Sportsfile

Munster have confirmed the signings of Leinster front-rowers Michael Milne and Lee Barron for next season on two-year contracts.

Loosehead prop Milne and hooker Barron’s inter-provincial moves will boost Munster’s stocks after a challenging season in a front-row unit hit hard by injuries. 

Veteran prop Dave Kilcoyne has managed just two appearances this season while fellow Ireland international loosehead Jeremy Loughman has not played since mid-October following a knee injury against the Stormers with Munster turning to tighthead prop John Ryan to cover on the other side of the scrum with further injuries affecting less experienced number ones Josh Wycherley and Mark Donnelly.

Milne, 25, has spent time in Ireland camps but remains uncapped at Test level but is closing in on 50 appearances for Leinster having made six appearances this season. Barron, 23, has also made six appearances for his home province in 2024-25, bringing his Leinster cap total to 22 across four seasons. 

Yet neither has managed to cement a consistent selection when Leinster’s frontline internationals are available to Leo Cullen and the pair have not experienced any game time since the turn of the year.

Munster have also moved to promote homegrown front-row talent by moving academy loosehead Kieran Ryan, 22, onto a development contract for next season. 

The St Munchin’s graduate and Shannon clubman has made 11 senior appearances, the most recent of which came in last Saturday’s bonus-point victory at the Dragons and his elevation to the professional ranks follows similar upgrades for next season for wing Shay McCarthy, lock Evan O’Connell and back-rower Ruadhán Quinn.

All four have signed two-year deals and will move onto senior contracts for 2026-2027.