MUNSTER HEAD COACH Graham Rowntree had admitted they face a battle to hold on to out-half Ben Healy with Gregor Townsend renewing his efforts to bring him to Scotland.
The 23-year-old Tipperary native qualifies to play for Scotland through his mother and two years ago turned down a couple of enhanced offers to move to Glasgow Warriors as he wanted to pursue his Munster career, but Scottish head coach Townsend has been keeping an eye on him.
Healy went on to play 17 times for Munster that season when the Scottish interest came to light, winning the academy player of the year award in the process. Last season he chalked up another 20 games, 10 of them starts.
However, this term he has slipped behind Jack Crowley in the pecking order and has only featured in six of their 13 matchday squads.
Healy, who has not played for Munster since the 28-14 win over a South Africa XV at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 10 November, only signed a one-year contract extension last January as he kept his options open.
Rowntree has admitted that it remains to be seen if the Kilruane native, who came through Nenagh Ormond and Glenstal Abbey who he skippered to their first Munster schools crown in 2018, will be a Munster player next season.
“He’s been vital for us for the last couple of years,” said Rowntree. “Good to have around, tremendous attitude. His future is uncertain, I’m not going to lie.
“And yes, he has had interest from over the water last year and the year before, so we will see how that pans out.”
A more immediate battle for Rowntree and Munster is a trip to Belfast on New Year’s Day and having lost four out of their five Irish derbies this season, he knows they need to get a result.
International restrictions mean they have to rest their Irish players in the coming weeks having gone fully loaded in Europe and against Leinster, with Crowley likely to take over from Joey Carbery, who can only play in two of the next four games, at out-half.
“We are not going to deny we have to rest the internationals,” added Rowntree. “They can play seven from nine games in this block. So, no, we are not going to disguise the fact we are going to rotate the squad over the next couple of weeks, but we have got strong depth there at No.10. So, yeah, potentially there will be some changes.
“That’s the nature of the beast, it will test our squad and what we have found this season is young men coming through have not let us down.”
Jean Kleyn has not yet been ruled out and his availability would be a huge boost given the injury crisis Munster have in the second row, but Rowntree said that when they had to dig deep into the squad earlier in the season, the young players made the most of the opportunity.
“We’re looking for greater depth, but when I think of backs then I think of the likes of Pa Campbell coming through and no-one had heard of Ruadhán Quinn before the start of the season, and Edwin (Edogbo) of course in the second row, no-one had heard of him before the start of this season.
“You want great depth in every position but I want to bring through young Munster talent, local talent, as soon as I can,” added Rowntree.
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Originally published at 0700
I await the Cooney-Healy axis for Scotland soon!
There’s a little bit of sensationalism going on surrounding Healy here. He doesn’t need to move to Glasgow or Edinburgh to play for Scotland, they have no foreign based player policy. If playing in the 23 World Cup is the carrot then they can select him while still at Munster. If it’s a money issue then Munster and the Union need to just pay it and get him locked down for a few years. He’s a guy who’s got Irish potential and if he moves on then Munster will need to bring in someone from overseas to replace him as there’s the two Irish outhalves in the squad.
@Jim Demps: straight to getting an overseas player in Jim , funny
@Jim Demps: would the problem not be if that capped for Scotland, he’s then classified as an overseas player for Munster. And they have certain rules on number of overseas players around key positions like outhalf and scrumhalf.
The same thing happened with Bradley Roberts and Ulster, when he got capped for Wales and then had to leave.
Is he Irish potential though? There’s probably 8 outhalfs ahead of him currently for Ireland. Only Sexton likely to retire soon. And that’s before Doak is even considered at 10!
@Jim Demps: Would make no sense from both Munster and Healys perspective. He would take an NIQ spot if he defected to Scotland. Why would Munster waste a very important NIQ spot on a 3rd choice 10. Also Im sure if Healy really does have aspirations to play for Scotland he’ll want to play with those players week in week out, and he probably also wants to play more consistently.
@Conor Mulloy: Of course he has the potential, same as the other 8. But yes it is currently a bottleneck of averageness.
@Jim Demps: If he plays for Scotland, there is no chance the IRFU will allow him to stay at Munster as a NIQ player. He would not get a new contract after this season or anywhere in Ireland and have to move overseas. Nor would Munster be allowed to sign a NIQ outhalf to replace him. Why do you think Munster would get special treatment from the IRFU in regards to NIQ outhalfs, when Ulster having been forced by the IRFU to pay off Paddy Jacksons contract, have been refused permission to sign a NIQ outhalf a number of times, Ulster have been forced to make do with Burns, by the IRFU? If there is a NIQ outhalf being allowed in Ireland, it will not be in Munster.
@Jim Demps: he’s unlikely to get enough game time as third choice to make even a Scottish squad. Their first choice outhalf is already playing overseas, aren’t a cpl of the back up lads too? You’d imagine any sensible bunch of rugby fans would be highly pissed off if a lad playing third choice here made the squad ahead of their local starter’s. You’d think Townsend has told him he’ll get a serious look in if he moves to Scotland. Personally I think he’s far too good to not be making a club 23 but he’s behind but Carbury and Crowley for me. Maybe he should go to Leinster? Sexton is likely gone next year, we know Byrne ain’t quite the level they need and after that they just have lads rotating in and out of the physio’s office…
@Cian O’Toole: He’s not ‘defecting’ to Scotland. How can he be if he won’t get any opportunity here? Defecting is a term that might have been appropriately used in the Cold War, but this is nothing like that.
@Ciaran Kennedy: the Ross Byrne myth. The man is a very good player who hasn’t played well for Ireland on a couple of occasions. One of those times was in a friendly against a World Cup finalist team and behind a pack that were destroyed.
His brother Harry still could come good.
@Conor Mulloy: there’s a lot of ifs in that. I’d be looking to get him on as long a contract as possible irrespective of what country he plays for.
@Jim Demps: a) he won’t be picked for Scotland if he isn’t getting any game time for Munster. If he was playing in the Gallagher or Fraince week in week out, he could be. But they aren’t going to select someone who doesn’t get match exposure to play test level, so in his interest he would need to move – probably to Glasgow or Edinburgh for a few years, and then maybe the premiership once he is capped. B) Munster could just use some of its academy out halves like every other province does when missing players or, you know, use a scrum half as Connacht were forced to. Anyhow, there is no guarantee Crowley will be picked for Ireland, despite the ROG hype train.
@Kingshu: ah I wouldn’t say no chance. These so called rules are pick and mix. Munster are currently doing pretty well with the NIQ numbers.
@Kingshu: you ask why would Munster get special treatment from the IRFU to sign an NIE outhalf, but to be fair, there is a strong track history of Munster getting special treatment to sign NIE centres – even two at the same time – so it wouldn’t really surprise me if they did. I can hear the explanation already of said NIE being an “important mentor to the Munster talent”, etc.
@Cian O’Toole: I think he’s a very good player. The consistent gametime is probably the bigger issue alright. I never really subscribe to the 2nd or 3rd choice stuff but even looking at where he is at the moment he’s got 5 starts under his belt this season from around 10 games.
@Aidan Prior: he is absolutely a very good player. But I think Healy can be just as good, and you can be sure Healy will have similar confidence. Harry could come good too but at this stage you’d be more hopeful than confident. In any case we’re in the word situation of Munster being better stocked than anyone else at outhalf, why are they producing so many at that moment? Fitz in Connaught, Flannnery in Ulster. Not sure either of those will become first choice but it’s really a 10 conveyor belt
@Jim Demps: there is a slight chink in your argument in that currently he is not being selected and given game time. I thought he was very impressive v SA and has not made the match day squad since. If Scotland do want him for the wc, I’m sure they would like him to be match fit and sharp
@Ciaran Kennedy: I wouldn’t agree about Healy. He’s decent, but I don’t see him being at the level of Byrne. I’ve liked Crowley since seeing him at under 20 level, aggressive in attack and a smart operator, so I find it frustrating to see him now being used as a centre at Munster. He needs a sustained period of games ahead of Carbery.
@Aidan Prior: Frawleys still there too, so you have 3 behind Sexton and whoever’s coming through, yet these issues are never a problem for Leinster. Munster Sh!tting the bed, constantly. Everyone could see this building for the last few months.
@Jim Demps:
There is no natural successor to Finn Russell so I can see Healy being tempted to move over to Scotland on a bigger contract than what Munster will offer, plus he is nowhere near Ireland starter.
Munster won’t pay him if he is selected for Scotland and he will be like Bradley roberts for wales
@Ciaran Kennedy: Healy certainly had a good game against SA, but, unfortunately that has really been his only decent performance so far this season (including the pre-season friendlies).
I really can’t see any way at all that he could be the successor to Sexton at Leinster. Apart from the Byrnes and Frawley their pipeline has last year’s Grand Slam U20 no 10, Tector; and Sam Prendergast who played the summer games as a U19 and has potential to be the next big thing.
To break into Leinster, Healy would have to be playing so well for Munster that he would unquestionably be the first choice no 10 down south, and thus have no need to move
@Joe Vlogs:
The situation is: you can be fourth choice out half for Leinster and that ranks you above 1st choice for Ulster & Connacht.
Healy was bypassed by Ireland for a guy who hasn’t won No 10 at his club… He lost every Munster game he started at 10 this season… Last won at 10 last March against the dragons.
That is not the kind of record that should get you fast tracked to Ireland start at 10.
It is clear that some players can do no wrong and others are judged by every possible mistake.
Healy will go to Scotland with Cooney to get a fair shake…
@Kevin Ryan: ah i know really, I’m just enjoying the unusual situation of Munster being well stocked in a pivotal area! I’d like to see him give us another season to see where it settles down and to give us cover for the world cup.
@Jim Demps: sounds like his agent could be in his ear. Hasn’t consistently played to the potential shown from u20 season. If he is good enough, they’ll keep him. He may have a faster route to test footy via Scotland. At this stage, I could see him getting a few caps for ireland but not many.
He’s better off heading to Scotland. He’s never going to get a look in here.
Ireland will just select another ‘Sexton’ to replace Sexton.
After all, if you want to play in green, you need to wear blue. That’s the IRFU policy going forward.
@Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O’Chathail: you are whinging that Munsters 3rd choice out half isn’t being considered for Ireland? Seriously?
@Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O’Chathail: Yeah, weird that Sexton gets picked for Ireland, he’s never achieved anything. Oh wait…
@Nag Damnit: Is Frawley not Leinster’s 4th choice out half? He’s firmly in the Irish mix. Also, Crowley was Munster’s 3rd choice when capped for Ireland. Harry Byrne is Irish capped as 3rd choice at Leinster.
@Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O’Chathail: Waaaaaaaaaah, waaaaaaaaaaah, waaaaaaaaaaah, waaaaaaaaaaah. That’s you. Maybe if the boys in red played better or were better they would get to play more in green. simples.com
@Criiochúr Daniel Daithí O’Chathail: love to be able to find another Sexton
@amusing_musings: Rïdiculous projection!. That’s not what the chap said now was it ?. You’re twisting his words and stuffing them in his mouth – to create an imaginary affront just so you can be outraged.
“Amusing musings” indeed…
Only ‘Marx Brothers Munster’ could manage an oversupply of players so badly. This is all because maybe Joey is a good out half someday, mad to think Richie Mo’unga is only a year older than Joey and is effectively retiring from AB duties next year, lol.
@thesaltyurchin: how would you have managed it???
@Patrick O Connell: At least have Healy on the bench over Scannel. When Carbery comes of, replace him with Healy and keep Crowley at centre.
@thesaltyurchin: you forget Carbury would need be a 3 year break before being eligible for NZ and they’ll have that hole filled before then so we’re safe enough…..
@Joe Vlogs: long term yes but at the moment Crowley is a rookie centre so it’s better to have cover on the bench
@Ciaran Kennedy: haha! fair enough, more that RM has 5 super rugby titles and a heap of AB caps under his belt and is obvs going off to make some cash, whereas JC is still trying to learn how to play 10.
@Joe Vlogs: That these things haven’t been already tried until 2 weeks ago is pretty damning… of someone, not sure who tho.
@Patrick O Connell: Play momentum. Returning players need to play their way into the team. Healy should have started the game after SA.
Munster need to get their thumb out and sign him up for the future. It’s ridiculous that we already let Cronin and Ryan leave. That said, I think Healy needs to be patient. Crowley could have left and gone to France when he was down the pecking order; instead he’s backed himself and is capped at international level. A lot can change in a year. Sexton was nowhere near Ireland team when they won the Grand Slam in ‘09. By end of year he was starting against South Africa. Healy needs to think about long term career rather than the next World Cup. He may be Scottish qualified but he no doubt grew up wanting to play for Ireland. No offense but Scotland won’t challenge for trophies. He’s a young man, he has plenty of time to challenge for his place in Munster and Ireland.
@mcdb06: It’s clearly not about money for Ben, if he isn’t happy being 3rd choice then there isn’t much Munster can do to change his mind. I don’t think it’s realistic to keep Joey, Jack and Ben all happy over the long term so somebody is going to leave at some stage.
This would be a major mistake by the IRFU. Healy is a major prospect and we could seriously regret if he ends up declaring for Scotland.
While he may not really fit Farrell’s idea of a 10, he has has far greater body of work than any of Harry B, Crowley, Flannery, Hawkshaw or Frawley over the last 2 years. Thus far is all they are all prospects, so we best holding onto all.
That said can totally understand Healy looking are after his performances since breaking through and getting anxious at moving a step down in the pecking order at 23.
I’d hate to see Munster lose him, as I still think he could win the outhalf battle or combine with Crowley.
But if he is unsatisfied with his lot at Munster, then the IRFU should see if there the possibility if starting berth at Ulster or Connacht.
Surely the IRFU should be looking to move him to Ulster or Connacht to get him more playing time?
Even if he has slipped down the pecking order at Munster this season, it only takes an injury to Carbery for him to come back into the reckoning. And while Crowley seems to be the long-term replacement for Sexton now, that could change quickly as well – he wouldn’t be the first heir apparent to fall by the wayside
@Lesidees: the paths are no less congested there. Connacht have Carty, Fitzgerald, and I think Hawkshaw too? Ulster have Burns, Madigan, and Flannery.
@B Collins: Nope. Burns and Doak are the only 2 outhalves who are selected consistently, irrespective of their personal form. The selection will go as far as Burns running on one leg and still keeping him on the pitch. Ulster is no place for players from other clubs to build confidence. The Flannery recruitment is playing out that way. Cooney, Moore, Vermeulen had established themselves elsewhere before coming to Ulster. Madigan is the perfect example of a confidence player that never found confidence at Ulster.
Healy is obviously on the way out of Munster. They don’t play him anymore. He would be an excellent fit for Scotland. With Russell not to bothered playing fir his country it’s left to Blair Kinghorn who is very average at outhalf. Healy is a decent player and could easily get the call as first choice outhalf for Scotland