Munster confirms signings and extensions

JJ Hanrahan is to return to Munster ahead of next season with Chris Farrell and James Hart also making the move to the province.

Hanrahan left Munster to join Northampton Saints in 2015, but after two seasons in the Aviva Premiership the 24-year-old will return to the province on a two-year deal.

Farrell and Harte will make the move from their respective Top 14 sides, Grenoble and Racing 92.

Harte has made 12 appearances for Racing 92 this season, including coming on as a replacement during the Champions Cup clash at Thomond Park on Saturday, while Farrell has scored ten tries in 70 appearances for Grenoble.

They have also signed two year deals with Munster.

"I've always indicated our intention to recruit Irish qualified players where and when possible so to secure the young trio of Farrell, Hanrahan and Hart is great for the province and Irish rugby in general. In addition to being hugely talented they bring a wealth of knowledge with their combined experiences from playing abroad and this will help with our overall squad development," director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said.

Meanwhile, the province has confirmed that half Tyler Bleyendaal prop Dave Kilcoyne, the Scannell brothers, hooker Niall and centre Rory, scrumhalf Duncan Williams and winger Darren Sweetnam have all agreed new contracts.

Kilcoyne has signed a new deal that will see him remain at Munster until June 2020, while Bleyendaal, Williams, Sweetnam and the Scannell brothers have all agreed to remain with the province until at least June 2019.

"I've talked about maximising our potential time and time again. Retaining players such as Killer (Dave Kilcoyne), Niall, Rory, Tyler, Duncan and Sweets (Darren Sweetnam) is key to our long-term plans and they have all played an integral role in our success so far this season," Erasmus added.

"Developing home-grown players is at the core of everything we do and it's rewarding to see five players who have advanced from the Munster pathway commit their future to the club, while also recognising the efforts of Tyler who has overcome long-term injury to make his mark in the squad this season."

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