MUNSTER OUT-HALF JAKE Flannery is set to join Ulster from next season.
The impending move was reported by Bernard Jackman on Monday’s Rugby Weekly Extra podcast with Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey, which is available exclusively for The42 members every week.
Flannery, 22, has been highly touted since emerging through Rockwell College in 2018, having previously played his club rugby at Kilfeacle and District RFC in his native Tipperary. A 2019 Grand Slam winner with Ireland U20s, he now represents Shannon at AIL level and has been consistently impressing in Division 1B this season.
Superb try from Shannon, finished off by Jake Flannery. He has been in ruthless form. @Shannon_RFC @Jake99Flannery #EnergiaAIL pic.twitter.com/xYD5KJ3QL0
— Justin Middleton (@rugbybroadcastr) March 7, 2022
Flannery’s younger brother, Alan, a centre, is also on Munster’s books and was one of the 22 players added to their makeshift Champions Cup squad for December’s Champions Cup trip to Wasps.
Jake Flannery made his Munster ‘A’ debut in the Celtic Cup in 2018/19 and joined his native province’s academy in ’19/20. He made his senior debut against Zebre in the Pro14 in February 2020 and made his first senior start against Benetton at the end of last season.
Flannery signed a one-year senior deal at the start of this campaign but, while he can also play full-back, he has found himself fourth in Munster’s depth chart at 10 behind Ireland international Joey Carbery and his fellow young standouts Ben Healy and Jack Crowley.
Flannery did start Munster’s 34-17 win over Zebre Parma in late January having previously come off the bench at home to Connacht in the URC and away to Castres in the Champions Cup this season.
It’s understood that Munster head coach Johann van Graan was interested in bringing Flannery with him to Bath next season but that the player turned down the prospective move, preferring to remain in Ireland. There was also interest in his services from France.
Flannery will likely find himself behind Billy Burns and Ian Madigan in the out-half pecking order at Ulster initially but should find minutes far more readily available at Ravenhill over the coming seasons than they will be at Thomond Park.
Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey discussed in detail Ireland’s victory over England at Twickenham, Ireland U20s’ success over their English equivalents, Ulster’s win over Leinster, and Munster’s defeat to the Bulls — as well as all the latest transfer news, including Flannery to Ulster — on Rugby Weekly Extra. To listen to the lads every Monday, become a member of The42 at members.the42.ie.
