Aviva Premiership: Munster's JJ Hanrahan heads to Northampton Saints

Munster fly-half JJ Hanrahan has agreed to join Aviva Premiership side Northampton Saints at the end of the current season.

While the province prepares for the exit of Hanrahan they can celebrate contract extensions for Ian Keatley and rising stars Cian Bohane, Shane Buckley and Jack O'Donoghue.

Hanrahan, 22, is regarded as one of the best young players to have come through the Munster Academy system and was short-listed for Junior World Player of the Year after steering Ireland's U20 side to fifth place in the 2012 Junior World Championships.

He has also taken the step up from U20s to Emerging Ireland, who he helped win the IRB Nations Cup last summer.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "JJ is a tremendous prospect. He has consistently shown that he has the ability to compete at the highest level of club rugby.

"But while we are looking forward to having JJ join us in the summer we are particularly excited about seeing him develop over the coming years at Franklin's Gardens."

Hanrahan, who made his PRO12 and Heineken Cup debuts in 2012, has played 51 times for Munster in all competitions, scoring 229 points across domestic and European competition.

We are extremely pleased that this group of players have committed their talents to the province

He said: "I'm excited by the challenge that awaits me at Northampton Saints and I hope that I can help continue the club's recent successes in England and to challenge for European honours.

"I was hugely impressed by the set-up at Franklin's Gardens. Like Munster, Northampton is a club that has a proud history, great structures and a passionate local supporter base. I am really looking forward to testing myself in a new environment.

"I have had nothing but positive experiences at Munster. It is my home club and running out in the red jersey has been and remains a great privilege. The coaching staff, from the Academy through to the senior coaches, have been brilliant with me since I entered the Academy. I remain fully committed to the Munster cause in the PRO12 and the European Champions Cup for the remainder of the season."

Home talent

Staying put at Munster is Keatley, who has signed a two-year contract that will see him stay with the province until at least June 2017.

The 27-year-old joined Munster at the start of the 2011/12 season after three seasons with Connacht Rugby. The Dublin-born fly-half has gone on to make 89 appearances for the province, scoring 703 points since making his debut against Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park in September 2011. 

On sealing new deals for the trio, head coach Anthony Foley said: "We are extremely pleased that this group of players have committed their talents to the province.

"Ian is into his fourth season with us and continues to grow, and impress. He leads by example with his commitment and attitude and we are fortunate to have him in our side. It is always rewarding when securing up and coming home-grown talent such as Bohane, Buckley, O'Byrne and O'Donoghue, and is a testament to what we have to offer here in Munster."