Munster's punt on Will Harrison: This much we know

At 26, the out half has barely touched the surface of his potential, but the fact that Munster will get their hands on someone who made his Super Rugby debut at 20 and was mentored by Bernard Foley as a teenager says plenty

MUNSTER MOVE: Ex-Waratah ten Will Harrison looks set for a move to Ireland as Munster bolster their attacking resources ahead of a World Cup season. Pic: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Former Leinster, Waratahs and Bath playmaker Shaun Berne believes Australia’s loss will be Munster’s gain, with the province on the cusp of signing Will Harrison.

The 26-year-old has yet to put pen to paper, but the former Junior Wallabies playmaker is set to sign a short-term deal to join Clayton McMillan's out-half options.

Should he do so, he will boost Munster’s depth and provide McMillan another capable option in what is bound to be a disrupted 2026-27 season with the World Cup on Australian soil around the corner.

Indeed, with Irish ten Jack Crowley set to be on limited minutes as the Irish Rugby Football Union plots every move in a bid to snap the national side’s World Cup quarter-final hoodoo, Harrison could prove to be one of the signings of the summer.

At 26, Harrison has barely touched the surface of his potential, but the fact that Munster will get their hands on someone who made his Super Rugby debut at 20 and was mentored by Bernard Foley as a teenager says a lot.

Incoming All Blacks coach Dave Rennie even picked Harrison in his wider Wallabies squad when he first arrived on the scene in 2020, with former Scotland and Rugby Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson another fan.

Tough, resilient, versatile and blessed with a pinpoint, laser left-boot, Harrison would have been capped years ago for the Wallabies had injuries not got in the way.

The wretched run of luck, as well as an impatient Waratahs system looking for quick fixes, ultimately led him to Japan, where he played alongside Quade Cooper at Kintetsu, before Springboks ace Manie Libbok arrived at the Japanese League two club.

McMillan, too, knows what he’s getting. The former Super Rugby boss coached against the Waratahs and saw him land goals and put on a show in Melbourne, before another injury forced him off.

On that evening Harrison wore the No.15 jersey, but he’s more at home calling the shots in the front line at fly-half.

But Harrison’s brilliant left boot has seemingly left a lasting impression.

Berne, the former Wallabies and Rebels assistant, who is currently coaching Sydney club side Randwick, said that should Munster land Harrison, the playmaker would be a handy recruit.

“He's a very skillful player,” said Berne, who was recruited by Cheika to Leinster and eventually went on to coach their pathways side.

“We should still have him in Australia, but it's a good opportunity for him because the Irish system will develop him further.

“Having just had some experience in Japan, he gets to experience European rugby now - it has some wet-weather and challenges, but the Irish system is great.

“He will be a great addition for Munster. Selfishly, we'd like to have him in Australia.”