MUNSTER PROP RORY Burke will link up with the province’s former assistant coach Ian Costello at Championship side Nottingham next season.
The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the English club.
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Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
After progressing through the Munster academy, Burke, who represented Ireland at U20 level, made his Guinness Pro12 debut in the victory over Treviso last month.
The Cork native’s time at the southern province has been largely plagued by injuries with his development hampered by two ankle operations during the 2014/15 season.
He was given an extra year in the academy set-up and this season made a big impact for Munster A as he helped the side to victory in the B&I Cup final over Jersey.
“One of the key targets for us in the off-season was to strengthen our front five, we’ve managed to do that but we felt that we needed a third quality tighthead there to give us the depth to be competitive throughout the season and Rory very much does that,” Costello, who moved to Nottingham as head coach last year, said.
“I know him well, he’s a young player with a lot of potential, he’s a good size, a very strong technical scrummager. He’s played against Jersey, Ealing, twice against Doncaster, twice against Rotherham and it was very easy for us to gauge how competitive he was against some of the stronger teams in our division.
“I think he’ll benefit hugely from playing 15 to 20 games at this level next season and contribute a huge amount to the squad and the club’s ambitions moving forward.”
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Munster prop signs one-year deal with Championship side Nottingham
MUNSTER PROP RORY Burke will link up with the province’s former assistant coach Ian Costello at Championship side Nottingham next season.
The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the English club.
After progressing through the Munster academy, Burke, who represented Ireland at U20 level, made his Guinness Pro12 debut in the victory over Treviso last month.
The Cork native’s time at the southern province has been largely plagued by injuries with his development hampered by two ankle operations during the 2014/15 season.
He was given an extra year in the academy set-up and this season made a big impact for Munster A as he helped the side to victory in the B&I Cup final over Jersey.
“One of the key targets for us in the off-season was to strengthen our front five, we’ve managed to do that but we felt that we needed a third quality tighthead there to give us the depth to be competitive throughout the season and Rory very much does that,” Costello, who moved to Nottingham as head coach last year, said.
“I know him well, he’s a young player with a lot of potential, he’s a good size, a very strong technical scrummager. He’s played against Jersey, Ealing, twice against Doncaster, twice against Rotherham and it was very easy for us to gauge how competitive he was against some of the stronger teams in our division.
“I think he’ll benefit hugely from playing 15 to 20 games at this level next season and contribute a huge amount to the squad and the club’s ambitions moving forward.”
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