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Munster confirm two signings from Leinster, including Michael Milne
By Liam Heagney
Munster have confirmed the signing of Leinster forwards Michael Milne and Lee Barron on two-year deals, while also promoting academy prop Kieran Ryan to the senior ranks. It was earlier in January when RugbyPass exclusively reported that loosehead Milne and hooker Barron were set for moves to Limerick from Dublin and their summer 2025 transfers have now been rubber stamped.
A statement read: “From Co Offaly, powerful prop Michael Milne came up through the ranks at Birr and Cistercian College, Roscrea. He has scored 12 tries in 47 appearances for Leinster since making his debut as an academy player in 2019 and will join Munster this summer.
“He played schools rugby alongside Josh Wycherley and the duo won a Grand Slam with the Ireland U20s in 2019 along with Craig Casey and John Hodnett. The 25-year-old represented Emerging Ireland in 2022 and has twice been called up to train with the Ireland senior squad.
“A dynamic hooker who has represented Ireland at U20 level, Lee Barron has scored three tries in 22 appearances since making his Leinster debut as an academy player against the Sharks in 2022. The 23-year-old has spent the past five years at Leinster having come up through the ranks at Lansdowne and St Michael’s College.
“He has scored one try in six appearances so far this season and he also joins Munster ahead of the 2025/26 campaign on a two-year contract.
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“Academy prop Kieran Ryan will move up to a development contract next season and will progress to a senior contract for 2026/27. He becomes the fourth academy player moving up to the senior squad with two-year deals confirmed for Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell and Ruadhan Quinn earlier this month.
“The Limerick man, who can play loosehead and tighthead, made his Munster debut against the Sharks in October 2023. He has made 11 senior appearances, the most recent in the bonus-point win over the Dragons last weekend.
“The 22-year-old came up through the ranks at Shannon and St Munchin’s College. He represented the Ireland U20s in 2022 and made his Champions Cup debut against Stade Francais earlier this season.”
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Latest Comments
Realistically only three players definite Bok starters this year - the front row - which comfortably did the job. The rest of the team will not be anywhere in the shakeup for the championship or the incoming tours. Leinster’s young side did very well on this tour. It is obvious that the Leinster are on a different level of coaching and enthusiasm compared to the SA franchises. The No1 Leinster team is essentially Ireland - not one current SA franchise would be represented by more than three players in the Bok line-up. It’s both a strength and a weakness for Ireland. It’s an interesting dynamic.
Go to commentsGOGOGO for the 3peat Black Ferns Legends!😎
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