JJ Hanrahan has spoken publicly for the first time since his move to the Northampton Saints was announced two weeks ago, and hinted that he could be back in Ireland someday.
Speaking to Munster’s official website, Hanrahan stressed that the move is purely based on rugby, and not motivated by money.
He told them: “This has been a 100% rugby decision, that’s all it’s ever been based on. Like I said I’ve huge ambitions for my career, huge ambitions for Ireland, I’m an extremely driven person and that’s the only thing that’s driving me – where can I best develop myself and become the best player that I can be.
“I was in the very privileged position to be offered two very good contracts from Munster and Northampton. Munster were great throughout all of this but at the end of the day it was my decision based on what I thought was best for my future.”
Hanrahan added that getting game-time in his preferred position of out-half was one of the driving factors in the move, and that he spent plenty of time weighing up his options.
“Conversations first started with Munster in terms of my decision and letting them know that I was interested in places further afield about 8 weeks ago and then the news broke in the media four weeks later but I had nothing signed at that stage.
“I took a lot of advice for the first four weeks but then I spoke to no one – it was just me thinking to myself, waking up every morning and seeing where my head was at. I stopped listening to other people, started listening to myself – where do you see yourself in the future?”
By leaving the provincial setup, Hanrahan has said he is wary of being frozen out at International level, but said he’s determined to prove himself abroad.
“There is a possibility of that but there is also numerous players who went away, learnt their trade and came back – Eoin Reddan, Tommy Bowe and the likes. If it works out for me like that, great, but for the moment I’ve made my decision on what’s best for my development and I’m still developing.”
