A move to Scotland has long been in the works for Ben Healy - who qualifies to represent the Scots at international level - and the news of his departure from Munster to Edinburgh, at the end of the current season, has now been confirmed.
Despite playing an influential role in Munster's road to the Champions Cup quarter-finals last season, Healy has been consistently overlooked at international level, and even for the Emerging Ireland squad.
The news will come as a huge disappointment to Munster fans, particularly after Healy's game changing performance off the bench as they snatched a last-gasp win over Ulster on Sunday.
“We are hugely disappointed to see Ben depart at the end of the season," said Munster head coach Graham Rowntree in a statement on the province's website.
“I’ve noted all along our desire to bring through and develop homegrown talent so to lose a player of Ben’s calibre is tough to take.
As a young player Ben is striving to achieve his career goals, and we fully understand his professional aspirations and the journey he is on.
For the most part we are successful in retaining our best talent within our system, however, this is unfortunately out of our hands on this occasion.
Ben Healy To Depart For Scotland
🏰✍️ 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫!
Scottish qualified stand-off Ben Healy will join the club from @Munsterrugby on a two-year deal ahead of the 2023/24 season. 👊 pic.twitter.com/GYZMEpdlvh— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) January 4, 2023
"This has been a huge decision to make," said Ben Healy. "And working closely with the province I have had the chance to give it the time and consideration it warranted.
“Making the decision to leave my home club has not been easy and I am hugely grateful for the opportunity to represent my province.
“I have career objectives I wish to target, and I believe a move to a club such as Edinburgh Rugby gives me the best opportunity to fulfil my professional goals.
“As a result of this process I have a heightened sense of urgency to achieve success with Munster and I look forward to doing everything possible to make this happen in the coming months.”
SEE ALSO: Dramatic Scenes As Ben Healy's Late Try Snatched Victory For Munster V Ulster
