According to multiple reports this Friday, Munster are set to bolster their rank of forwards with two smart acquisitions from Leinster.
Still without a permanent head coach, Munster are preparing for a massive Champions Cup clash with English giants Saracens this Saturday in Limerick.
The Munstermen have endured a difficult start to the season. They sit in the bottom half of the URC table and need two big wins over Saracens and Northampton to keep hopes alive of a home knockout Champions Cup run.
Injury issues have ravaged the province this season, with 15 first-team players sidelined for Saturday's clash with Sarries.
Among those 15 players are hooker Dave Kilcoyne and props Mark Donnelly, Jeremy Loughman and Josh Wycherley, leaving Munster depleted in the front row at a crucial stage of the season.
Reports on Friday suggest they are set to snap up Leinster duo Michael Milne and Lee Barron to bolster their options in the pack for the coming season.
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Munster reportedly set to sign two front rows from interpro rivals
21 December 2024; Leinster players Michael Milne, left, and Lee Barron during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
RugbyPass reported on Friday afternoon that Munster are set to announce the signing of prop Michael Milne from Leinster for next season.
Milne has scored 12 tries in 48 appearances for Leinster since making his debut in 2019. However, big-game opportunities have been few and far between of late, especially since the province's acquisition of Rabah Slimani for this campaign.
Munster attempted to sign Milne last season but the -year-old opted to stay in Dublin for another year. It now appears as though Munster have got their man, with the report suggesting a deal is imminent.
That report was backed up by The42, who revealed that Milne is not the only front row set to make the move to Thomond Park.
Murray Kinsella of The42 reports that, in addition to Milne, hooker Lee Barron is on the verge of agreeing a deal to join Munster.
Barron first appeared for Leinster in 2021 and has made 22 appearances since. However, with Leinster stacked with options at hooker in Dan Sheehan and Ronán Kelleher, Munster have opted to swoop for the 23-year-old.
The acquisitions of Milne and Barron look set to give Munster some much-needed depth in the front row, as they seek to turn their fortunes around with a new head coach next season.
For now, the main focus will be the clash with Saracens in Thomond Park. The game gets underway at 5:30pm on Saturday, with the game live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports.
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