JJ Hanrahan’s move from Connacht to Munster confirmed

THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM: JJ Hanrahan’s move from Connacht to Munster this summer has been confirmed. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

JJ Hanrahan’s move from Connacht to Munster this summer has been confirmed on Wednesday as incoming head coach Clayton McMillan’s squad for next season takes further shape with the addition of the senior fly-half on a two-year deal.

The Kerryman’s return will mark his third stint with Munster, having made his debut in 2012 and Hanrahan’s move represents a fourth new signing for next season, when McMillan will join from Super Rugby contenders the Chiefs.

Loosehead prop Michael Milne and hooker Lee Barron are set to move south from Leinster this summer, while Irish-qualified centre Dan Kelly will arrive from Leicester Tigers.

Hanrahan had a two-season spell in England with Northampton Saints between 2015 and 2017 that was followed by four years back in red for Munster before a second exit for pastures new, first with Clermont Auvergne, then the Dragons.

The Castleisland native signed on with Connacht ahead of the 2023-24 campaign and has scored 145 points in 23 appearances during a spell interrupted by a serious knee injury, from which he recently returned.

The 32-year-old playmaker is Munster’s third-highest all-time points scorer with 743 points in 142 appearances, winning the PRO12 Golden Boot Award in 2014, the same year he was named his province’s Young Player of the Year.

Hanrahan won the Golden Boot for a second time for 2019/20 season and he will return to compete for the number 10 jersey with first-choice Jack Crowley, Tony Butler and academy fly-half Dylan Hicks, with Billy Burns’ future at the province yet to be announced.