URC giants bring in Manu Samoa star
TRANSFER NEWS: One of Samoa’s key players will leave the French Top 14 for the United Rugby Championship soon.
On Wednesday, Munster confirmed the signing of Michael Alaโalatoa from Clermont Auvergne on a seven-month contract until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Alaโalatoa is currently on international duty with Manu Samoa, where he helped the team qualify for the 2027 World Cup after a 13-all draw with Belgium in Dubai.
He will commence his contract with Munster on Monday, December 1.
The 34-year-old tighthead prop is a 24-cap international who has played in two World Cups.
He made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2014 before moving to the Crusaders in 2016, winning three Super Rugby titles and two Super Rugby Aotearoa Championships.
It will be his second spell in Ireland, having scored six tries in 62 appearances for Leinster between 2021 and 2024.
His father, Vili, was a member of the Western Samoa squad for the 1991 Rugby World Cup, and brother Allan is an Australian international who captains the Brumbies.
Munster will face the Stormers at Thomond Park on November 29.
๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐โ๐๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ 💪
Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm the signing of Michael Alaโalatoa from Clermont Auvergne until the end of the season.
See full details ⤵️https://t.co/l54fdmRXQk#SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/XKE82i9QFl
โ Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 19, 2025