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'He has unfinished business' | ROG and Quinlan on JJ Hanrahan's French move

Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan have both given their reactions to OTB AM after the sensational new...



Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan have both given their reactions to OTB AM after the sensational news that JJ Hanrahan is off to France.

Reports in France say the out-half will join Clermont-Auvergne at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old was expected to find opportunities limited at Thomond Park now that Joey Carbery has returned to the side from his injury lay-off.

O'Gara said he was delighted for the Kerryman.

"It's a fantastic opportunity. JJ is a great guy, he's a deep thinker on the game, I think he still has unfinished business in himself.

"He's very, very creative and diligent, he's a hard worker [and] is hugely into process. He really, really wanted to excel for Munster and Ireland and it hasn't happened at the highest level for him yet.

"But in two years' time he'll be 30, he'll be playing his best rugby between now and 32, there's a huge opportunity for him and you'd be delighted for him.

"He cares about it, he really wants to deliver, but sometimes he's been paralysed by analysis, by overthinking. He has great instincts in him, and he needs to play and trust that.

"Sometimes he potentially over-complicates it in that position, but it isn't easy and there was a time when he was driving that team when they were a little bit lower in confidence in areas than when I was there and it was easier.

"I was full sure in 2013 when I retired, I remember doing my final kicking session with him, that this guy was gonna take over and he's going to be a star - it's been frustrating for him so far but this could open his horizons on all fronts."

Alan Quinlan echoed those sentiments, when speaking to Adrian and Eoin this morning.

"It's a great deal for JJ. Fair play to him, he knows what's happening in Munster. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that there needs to be change and there's a hope that more younger players [will] come through.

"JJ has been there for a number of years. Some of the big games he's come in for criticism and it's been difficult for him. But I think he's performed in other games where he hasn't got enough credit for it.

"It's been at times a mixed bag. [He's] a great bloke who's always turned up and tried to do the best for the jersey.

"This is refreshing for him now as a player coming towards the end of his career, [the] last couple of years or however long he plays [for.]

"He could be sitting in an armchair for Clermont as a ten if he plays there because more often than not they have an incredible amount of firepower in front of him in the forward pack.

"They throw the ball around everywhere, it's not as structured as maybe the Irish rugby is. I think he'll love it and I think it's a great move for him."

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Clermont-Auvergne France Jj Hanrahan Leinster Munster Munster Rugby Otb Am Rugby Thomond Park Top 14