JJ Hanrahan is maintaining that he will pull on the famous red jersey again after this season. The talented youngster's much publicised view move to Northampton will not dent his desire to return to the province to etch himself into Munster folklore. Hanrahan was speaking openly to the media for the first time since his move was announced and moved to clarify things about the switch.
He maintains that it was a tough decision to leave Munster in the first place, but it is 100% a rugby decision. Hanrahan went back and forth on staying, and even when he made the decision - he was asking whether it was the right one.
He told the Limerick Post:
Like everything, you’re to-ing and fro-ing in your head. It’s like everything – you have a decision to make, but up to the last minute you’re still kind of going, ‘is this the right thing?’
Hanrahan has backed his decision, comparing it to breaking up with a girlfriend:
I suppose you could use the example of breaking up with a girlfriend. It might be for the best but at the time you’re still disappointed.
In the end though, Hanrahan based the decision on what was best for his career. He feels that playing regularly in his favoured position would benefit his Ireland aspirations despite not playing in the country. He hopes that the new environment will challenge him, and he will be able to build on his mental strength.
He has had no assurances from Northampton about the amount of playing time he will get, yet still feels he will have a better chance of playing ahead of Stephen Myler rather than Ian Keatley.
Hanrahan has looked to the examples Eoin Reddan and Tommy Bowe who enhanced their careers and Ireland credentials whilst playing for Wasps and Ospreys, who both came back to play in Irish provinces later in their careers. Hanrahan shares the hope that most fans have that his career will take a similar arc and he will return to these shores in the near future after a successful time in Northampton.
Hanrahan's ambitions for to play for Ireland are clear, and there is a sense that he is genuine when he claims it's a 100% rugby decision. His career should still be followed with interest and hopefully his signature will be highly sought after in two years when he returns to Ireland.
Photo Credit Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
