‘He wasn’t very consistent if I'm honest’: Zebo verdict on Crowley replacement

JJ Hanrahan’s experience will be invaluable to Munster this season, according to his former team-mate Simon Zebo, as Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley is likely to miss the first half of the season.

But the much-travelled fly-half faces a race to be fit for the United Rugby Championship opener against Glasgow Warriors this weekend after a head knock in pre-season.

Zebo believes Munster will lean heavily on Hanrahan, 34, with Crowley set to be ruled out until the New Year due to a rare blood vessel issue in his lower limb.

He points out that Hanrahan, who has played in France, England and Wales, loves a big day out and will also thrive on passing on his knowledge to players such as Tom Wood and Charlie O’Shea.

“JJ’s been around a few clubs now, but he’s obviously very much a Munster man, proud to play for the province, and he’s racking up a serious amount of caps.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Munster

09:30

26 Sep 26

Glasgow

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“Not many players get signed three times, so those periods away, it was probably more on the side of JJ wanting more concrete game time or where he was at in his career.

“He was always very well liked in Munster and always gave all he had throughout the years. He’s been an invaluable member of any squad. He’ll hold himself to a very high standard in the next few months and, as is known, he’s played across some top-quality leagues and classy teams.

“He does enjoy the big day out. He has a really, really high skill set and, when he’s really up for a game, he gets stuck in as well. I always really enjoyed playing with him.

“It’s just been fewer games we’ve seen him with those opportunities of late, with the rise of Jack (Crowley). He found it difficult last season but that doesn’t say his ceiling is any lower – it was just, last year, he wasn’t very consistent if I’m honest.

“I still think he’ll be invaluable for Munster now this season. And not just his performances, which will be very much needed, but also the experience he passes on to those younger players that are coming through.

“They are pushing him out because he is helping them. But JJ is a great squad member with plenty to pass on, and yeah, I hope he has a really, really good season and gets off to a good start. Maybe he can get some good consistency,” said Zebo.