The exit door out of Leinster in the summer is set to be one busy place indeed, with prop Jamie Hagan the latest to confirm his departure from the province.
The 25-year old tighthead prop will join London Irish in the summer after a deal was confirmed today which will see Hagan sign a three year contract with the Exiles.
Opportunities in the blue jersey have been few and far between for Hagan since his return to the province from Connacht in 2011 and a move away from the Heineken Cup champions appears to make sense as it will hopefully provide him with more game time and enhance his international prospects with Ireland.
Commenting on Hagan’s signing, London Irish Director of Rugby, Brian Smith said: “Jamie Hagan is a future Irish Test player, he’s cut his teeth in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 and is more than ready to launch his Aviva Premiership career.
“He’s a tough, uncompromising prop coming into his prime and he’ll add more steel to our tight five. Jamie’s rugby talent and Irish heritage make him a perfect fit for the club. I’m genuinely delighted that he’s committed to London Irish for the next three seasons.”
Hagan himself added: “I’m looking forward to moving across to England and joining London Irish. They are a team with a rich heritage and proud Irish traditions which will really suit me. I would like to thank Leinster for all they have done for me and wish them well for the future. I look forward to joining London Irish next season and getting stuck in to Premiership rugby.”
Hagan will join fellow Gaels such as Ian Humphreys and Tomás O’Leary when he arrives in London in the summertime and is one of a number of Leinster players who will depart the province at the end of this season.
Jonathan Sexton’s move to Racing Metro has been all but confirmed; Isa Nacewa last week revealed his intention to return to New Zealand after this season, Fionn Carr is heading back to Connacht while winger Andrew Conway will swap Leinster blue for the red of Munster, with speculation suggesting that Luke Fitzgerald might even do the same.
On top of that, the future of the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen remains uncertain in what seems very much to be a transitional period for the Blues at present.
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