Alaalatoa brings 'international experience' as concerns linger over Jager and Salanoa

“So there's not a lot of available tightheads available around the world. But we have continued our search just to give us, I guess, some insurance… "

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: Ireland’s front row will need no reminder of the brutal importance of world-class props after last Saturday’s schooling by South Africa’s scrum and Clayton McMillan feels fortunate to have added Samoa’s Michael Alaalatoa to the Munster roster from next week given their scarcity in world rugby. Picture:©INPHO/Pool Pictures/Phil Walter

Ireland’s front row will need no reminder of the brutal importance of world-class props after last Saturday’s schooling by South Africa’s scrum and Clayton McMillan feels fortunate to have added Samoa’s Michael Alaalatoa to the Munster roster from next week given their scarcity in world rugby.

Former Leinster tighthead Alaalatoa’s arrival from Clermont ahead of the Champions Cup pool opener at Bath is the result of the Munster head coach’s search for Test-level “insurance” in a position where his squad is currently stretched. John Ryan starts at tighthead on Saturday in the top of the table URC clash with the Stormers at Thomond Park, with academy prop Ronan Foxe in reserve. Loosehead Kieran Ryan is being adapted to the other side of the scrum with former UCC clubman Conor Bartley having only just returned from injury while Munster are playing the long game to get senior men Oli Jager (head) and Roman Salanoa (knee) back to full fitness.