Munster seal Kieran Brookes signing, tie down Michael Ala’alatoa to new deal

Munster have signed Kieran Brookes on a two-year-deal. Pic: Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP via Getty Images

Clayton McMillan’s tighthead prop stocks for the new season received a double boost as Munster confirmed the signing of former England international Kieran Brookes from Perpignan and announced a one-year contract extension for Michael Ala’alatoa on Thursday.

The province had suffered a double blow last month with the retirements of veteran John Ryan and Oli Jager, who had been forced to quit due to medical advice following a number of concussions, though the addition of Brookes, 35, and retention of Samoa international Ala’alatoa, 34, come three days after Munster confirmed the departure of another tighthead, Conor Bartley.

Brookes has signed a two-year deal and will add to a pool of tightheads that will also include fellow new signing Jack Aungier, who joins from Connacht, and Ronan Foxe, set for promotion from the Munster academy to the senior squad this summer. 

Bartley, 31, was released having been signed from All Ireland League club Young Munster in November 24 and making six appearances, all last season.

A 16-cap international who was in Stuart Lancaster’s 2015 England World Cup squad, Brookes is a former Ireland Under-20 who has played for Toulon, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints and Perpignan, his last game for the latter coming last month when he helped the Catalans preserve their Top 14 status in a play-off victory over Provence.

“I’m incredibly proud and excited to be joining Munster Rugby,” Brookes said. “It’s a club with a rich history and a unique identity.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans, working alongside the players and coaches, and giving everything I can to contribute to the success of the club. I can’t wait to get started and experience what it means to be part of Munster Rugby.” 

Ala’alatoa has signed a one-year contract extension, having joined on a short-term deal from Clermont Auvergne last December. 

The former Crusaders and Leinster tighthead, who has two World Cups and 24 caps for Samoa under his belt, quickly became indispensable to head coach McMillan, playing all 18 games over the second half of the season.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner last month McMillan said: “I think somebody like Michael Ala’alatoa, people will have their opinions around him, but we would have been in absolutely shit street without him this year. 

"He's a guy who's been massive around the building in terms of how he carries himself, how he helps younger players like Ronan grow their craft. Absolute pro, resilient, trains every training, plays big minutes in games.

“For what we need right here and now, we couldn't have asked for a better player. And sometimes people might lose sight of those things, you need those players in teams.

“I personally would not be upset if we managed to keep Mike for 12 months. To allow the other guys to come in, to allow Jack Aungier to come in and he’s coming here because he wants to play rugby. He wants to start, so he'll get those opportunities.

“We don't want to block the pathway of a Ronan Foxe from coming through. Because there's an international quality here, we know we need them and we will get there. But right now, what we need is some stability.” 

McMillan believes Brookes brings that stability also and in Thursday’s signing announcement from Munster the head coach said: “It is really pleasing that we have been able to bring in a player of Kieran’s experience in such an attritional position and we are delighted that Michael will be staying on next season.

“Kieran has been playing at the top level for well over a decade and his skillset, particularly in the set-piece, will be invaluable for us over the next two years.

“I have spoken previously about how Mike was a godsend for us this season and his durability in such a key position was crucial for us over the past seven months.

“Along with playing every single game for us since December, he is also a really positive influence off the field and will make a big contribution again next year.” 

The Munster pack will be working with incoming forwards coach Jimmy Duffy, the former Ireland U20, Connacht and Ulster assistant who replaces the Toulon-bound Alex Codling. 

Duffy will cover both scrum and lineout and Munster general manager Ian Costello said he believed both Brookes and Ala’alatoa would give additional support and guidance for the province’s young front rowers.

“Along with their vital on-field contributions, we also feel that Kieran and Mike can play a key role in helping the next crop of young front-row forwards reach their potential,” Costello said.

“We have some very promising young players coming through the system and for them to learn from two vastly-experienced players in Kieran and Mike will prove very beneficial for their development.”