One of the stars of Ireland U20s run to the World Cup final was Munster tighthead Ben Betts. The third choice tighthead only got the starting gig after injuries to Connacht pair Conan O'Donnell and Conor Kenny, and took his opportunity firmly.
Betts was so impressive that people thought he could challenge for senior Munster gametime next season, and that he would be the cornerstone for the Red Army's scrum for the next decade.
But when Munster announced their academy intake earlier this summer, Betts' name was absent. Now, it is being reported that the prop was not offered an academy deal. Instead, the 20-year-old from Young Munster will take up a one-year deal with Leicester Tigers.
If that is true, then Munster have scored a massive own goal. Losing a talent like JJ Hanrahan was bad enough, but that was when Northampton outbid the province. This time, Munster had the first crack at Betts and didn't make any offer.
Betts revealed his disappointment to Colm Kinsella of the Limerick Leader about leaving Munster:
Obviously it's very disappointing not to be staying with Munster because I'd have dreamed of that for a long time.
But if I was told a couple of years ago that I'd be going to play with Leicester by the time I was 18, I'd have taken it.
It's a great opportunity and I'll get the chance to train with their seniors and learn from Dan Cole, who has played with England and the Lions.
Obviously, Betts is still young. It's only a one-year deal. He'll be getting a fantastic scrummaging education in England. It's not like he won't have opportunities to come home.
But Munster have missed a huge trick here, and fans should be annoyed.
