MUNSTER’S DARREN SWEETNAM has agreed a short-term move to La Rochelle, the French club announced today.
The 27-year-old Ireland wing, who earned three international caps, has been with Munster since joining their academy in 2012.
A former Cork hurler, Sweetnam has fallen out of favour at the province and his current contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
He has been brought in by La Rochelle as a ‘medical joker’ to compensate for the absence of Jeremy Sinzelle, who has undergone surgery on a cruciate injury.
The Top 14 side, coached by Ireland and Munster legend Ronan O’Gara, are second in the table after Saturday’s 26-11 win away to Bordeaux-Begles.
They also face Gloucester in the last 16 of the European Champions Cup this Friday.
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Think this is a good move for Darren, Van Graan doesn’t seem to rate him and think other players have got ahead of him because of injury lay off.
@Dave BeaTT: Am I making too big a jump here but could JvG and Munster be freeing up a spot and some cash for Zebo to return?
@Ricky Wright: He has certainly been angling for a return alright. Do they really need him though? With Haley, Matt Gallagher signed last year, and then 4 IQ fly-halves – surely either Flannery or Carbery will move back to 15 (Carbery’s best position anyway). Would be serious indulgence for Munster to be allowed bring him back as Liam Coombes continues to develop, Shane Daly is in the Irish setup, Earls is signed on, and Wootton on fire out west who might come back.
@Ricky Wright: I think this is more Van Graan not wanting Darren than that. I think Munster have better prospects coming through over Zebo, the majority of the fans would have him back I would think. If I was a Munster man I would rather they sorted out the style of play before bring Zebo back. Don’t think he would make much difference with how Munster play now, if anything they used the backs more when he was last at the club.
Nice move for him, with a very genuine chance of silverware. would he qualify for a medal?
A quality player doesn’t seem to get his chance with Van Gran. Hope he proves him wrong and gets more game time if he returns for next season.
@Seanie Gavin: I’d imagine if goes well that La Rochelle will offer him a contract.
@Cian Nolan: was not offered a contact renewal my Munster for next season it appears, so this is a great chance for him to impress.
@kieran horgan: back to munster next year with Rog???
@Kieran Doherty: Rumour is that Rog will get the top job at La Rochelle with Gibbes moving to Clermont
He should do well, he’s far too good to be down the depth charts at Munster. Was in great form before the injury spell but hasn’t been given a lot of games since.
Hope it goes great for the lad, always thought he was quality
Doesn’t matter how well you play, international ‘nearly’ players can just waltz back onto the team after playing no rugby for months.
@thesaltyurchin: letting him, JJ and Wotton let go is not a good sign if your looking to change thing at a club. 3 players who can run and pass a rugby ball I guess don’t fit into VG’s plans.
@Chris Mc: you are constantly on here stating JJ is poor. Also, when do those two wingers pass a ball. Yet another sad attempt at trolling
@Chris Mc: sweetnam is a decent squad pro14 player. Munster are doing exactly what they need to be doing, allowing a younger, cheaper and higher potential academy player in Liam Coombes stay and get the minutes sweetnam would have gotten. Aren’t you the guy who’s always harping on about Munster not investing in youth? This is exactly that!
@John Buckley: that’s just not true. I have always said JJ is a fine player and a much better 12 than he’s given credit for. It doesn’t suit John to accept that munster just doesn’t use its players to their best abilities.
@guineon: leinster and ulster have plenty of players the standard of sweetnam and still give younger players plenty of game time. And like it or not munster like leinster are a pro 14 team.
Its not as much about sweetnam or JJ it’s about choice. You can’t play second playmaker at 12 if you ship him off to France. So stick with the power game.
VG will play the power game against the SA teams and we all know what will happen there
@Chris Mc: lying as always. You continuously slate him on here. When you bring up passing it shows you are clueless about their abilities. You just see another opportunity to troll on a Muster article.
@guineon: In fairness Coombes, French et al are a bit green, He (LC) had a shocker the other night, obviously these are shrewd ‘business moves’ but wait an see they only exist to keep South African’s employed.
@John Buckley: you’ll find far more munster fans slated JJ over the past year than an leinster ones. Ah look at least next season we will have a few teams up for a game. Hopefully the SA teams won’t just roll over and ly down
Another top player leaving, on top of Hanrahan as well, slowly unravelling at Munster….unlike Leinster who can afford to let good players go, Munster cannot,at least O Gara will give him game time though, hope he does well and gets a good contract there, could have done with him on the wing against Leinster.
Could very easily see him doing well in La Rochelle and in the Pro 14. He’s the type of winger where more open play will suit him better. Watch out for him scoring a few tries in the run in for La Rochelle to win the top 14
Don’t worry Munster will replace him with a South African or a Leinster player
Best of luck to him , hope it turns out well and he earns a nice contract for next year. Unfortunately he was never going to be a game changer for us , good solid professional but we are lacking players with that X factor and even with what’s coming through the academy we are a little light in that respect.
better chance of winning something down there
Always impressed when given minutes just never seemed to be a coaches favourite pick
When is Van Graan’s contract up?
When is Van Gran contract up?