Munster in a really good spot at number 10, insists Lawler

Jack Crowley, JJ Hanrahan and Craig Casey. Pic: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

JJ Hanrahan may be set to miss this Saturday’s URC home opener against Cardiff at Thomond Park but Mossy Lawler believed the returning fly-half can be a real asset for Munster in his third stint at the province he calls home.

The 33-year-old Kerryman started in the number 10 jersey on his competitive return after a summer move from Connacht when Munster opened their 2025-26 account at Scarlets with a 34-21 bonus-point win in Wales. 

Hanrahan’s comeback was cut short by a head injury, however, and his third debut ended at half-time at Parc y Scarlets, with first-choice 10 Jack Crowley coming off the bench and kicking three conversions.

Crowley now looks set to start at Thomond Park this Saturday with Tony Butler likely to be in reserve as fly-half replacement with Hanrahan now going through his return to play protocols. Yet skills and assistant attack coach Lawler, a former UL Bohemian team-mate of Hanrahan believes the former Northampton, Clermont, Dragons and Connacht playmaker’s experience will make him a cornerstone in his home province on and off the pitch.

Talking about Hanrahan and fellow signing Dan Kelly, the centre signed from Leicester Tigers, Lawler said: “Composed and comfortable probably sums the two up. Two highly experienced players. Obviously, Dan has played the last number of years in a really, really high-end Leicester Tigers team, so he's come with a wealth of experience.

“We've loved his physicality, but it's not only that. He's well able to play rugby too, so he's got a really good short passing game, runs really good lines and just adds an extra layer to our attack. And then you have somebody like JJ coming back after a number of years and the experience he's built up.

“Just to have him now and Jack Crowley in the same group is going to make Munster Rugby even stronger. And then you have Tony underneath the two of them learning from both. Munster is in a really good spot in that number 10 jersey.” 

As players Lawler and Hanrahan were at opposite ends of their respective careers, as the senior partner recalled.

“I'm 45 now. So 10 years ago, 35, I was just finishing up with UL Bohs. I was academy manager there, but one of my jobs was to play as well. JJ was 23 at that time. So yeah, our paths crossed on the pitch.

“We played together. Unbelievable talent back then as a young out-half. I haven't worked with him for the last number of years, but for him to come back in and the experience he's gained in France, in England, and in Galway, he's come back and he's been absolutely brilliant for the group.

“So calm and composed as a rugby player, but also off the field as well. So he's like an extra coach, knows the game inside out. And for us as coaches, but for also the other Jack and Tony, there's just a really good, knowledgeable head to learn from.

“And for us to get somebody like JJ back in the building is massive. Not just from a playing group, but for me personally, as a young coach, making my way in the world, someone that will come in and challenge me and show me different ways of doing things or what he has done in the past. It's been great.

“So, is it 12 weeks now he's been back in the building? I've really enjoyed working with him and long may that last.” 

Meanwhile, hooker Niall Scannell has been cleared to face Cardiff at Thomond Park having passed his HIA after making his 200th Munster appearance last Saturday.