Oli Jager could be set for a return to Ireland, after the Crusaders confirmed he's likely to depart the Super Rugby champions.
The 28-year-old, who grew up in Kildare, has been based in New Zealand for the last 10 years where he has won five Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders.
Jager has previously turned down the opportunity to return to Ireland with Munster, having set a goal to play Test rugby for the All Blacks, but it's reported that Graham Rowntree's side have secured his signature.
The tighthead prop has previously been included in the non-capped 'All Blacks XV' squad for their game against Ireland 'A' in 2022, but missed out due to injury, while he was ruled out of a similar tour of Japan in the summer due to injury.
The former Blackrock College student - who is still Irish qualified - has played more than 50 times for the Super Rugby giants since 2017, while also featuring for Canterbury in the New Zealand domestic championship.
However, Jager (above) was not included in the Crusaders squad for the 2024 season, with head coach Rob Penney saying he had requested an early release from his contract in order to pursue a deal outside of New Zealand.
"We are in the process of working through that and, ultimately, that will probably be honoured," Penney said.
And when asked if Jager was set to return to Ireland, the former Munster coach was coy over his destination.
"I can't elaborate too much...you will put two and two together, and he will come out with a release very shortly."
It had been suggested that Leinster could have been a potential landing spot for Jager, with tighthead Michael Ala'alatoa - coincidentally also a former Crusader - set to depart at the end of the season.
However, it's been reported by The42.ie that Munster look set to win the race to sign him.
Rowntree's side currently have Stephen Archer, John Ryan, Keynan Knox and Roman Salanoa to choose from, but it's expected that Archer will retire at the end of the season, while Knox is also likely to depart having struggled to make an impact on the first team in the last 12 months.
Salanoa has taken big strides since 2022, but with the Hawaii native sidelined until early next year due to a knee injury, it has hastened the need for reinforcements at tighthead for Munster.
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