Ala’alatoa relishing regular rugby as Munster scrum gathers momentum

Former Leinster prop Michael Ala’alatoa reflects on a rapid Munster move, family upheaval and a growing influence in the scrum

Michael Ala’alatoa opens up on his whirlwind Munster move and why regular rugby has helped him hit form in red. Picture: ©INPHO/Andrew Conan

After three seasons at Leinster, Michael Ala’alatoa had to stop himself from heading straight to the away dressing room on his first visit to Thomond Park as a Munster player. Yet as the tighthead prop has settled into life at the southern province following his December 1 arrival on a short-term contract, so has the Samoan front-rower’s impact on the pitch grown.

Fresh from an encouraging scrum performance at Toulon last Sunday, the 34-year-old will be in the Munster number three jersey at home to Castres on Saturday evening for his sixth consecutive start and seventh straight appearance since exiting Clermont Auvergne frustrated by his lack of game time in the Top 14 this season following his move from Leinster in 2024.