Reports in France claim that Munster are to bring home two of Ireland's most promising players in the Top 14.
French-based rugby journalist Gavin Mortimer covers rugby in France for the English-speaking world. On Monday morning, he reported that Midi-Olympique claim Munster are to sign Chris Farrell and James Hart.
Transfer news & @midi_olympique says Grenoble centre Chris Farrell will be joined at Thomond Park next season by Racing No9 James Hart
— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) January 9, 2017
Apparently after one season at Racing, Hart will link up with Munster next season, bringing to an end five years in France (4 with FCG)
— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) January 9, 2017
Farrell and Hart both played for Grenoble, under the tutelage of Bernard Jackman. At the start of this season, Hart joined Racing 92, while Farrell remains at the Top 14 strugglers.
Both players are under 25, and have impressed in France after leaving Ireland early in their careers. Farrell, a centre, left Ulster in 2014 after a handful of caps for his native province.
Hart, who can play as a scrum-half or fly-half, joined Grenoble in 2011 and moved to Racing 92 last summer. The Dubliner missed out on a place in Leinster's academy before moving to France.
Although not confirmed, if the duo are to join the province, it points towards an exciting period for Rassie Erasmus' side with fly-half JJ Hanrahan looking set to return to Thomond Park after a two-year spell at Northampton.
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