Noonan Links Up With Bedford

Former Ireland Under-21 international Ross Noonan has signed for English club Bedford Blues. The versatile forward leaves after three years with the Munster Academy, during which he put in some starring performances for UCC and Cork Constitution in the AIB League.

The 22-year-old Noonan joins Bedford after being recommended to club coach Mike Rayer by Guinness Premiership champions Leicester.

“It shows how well our link (with Leicester) is working. We were sent Ross’ CV and DVD and were impressed with what we saw,” said Rayer.

Noonan, who is comfortable as a lock, a number six or number eight, was a regular in the Cork Constitution side last season having joined from UCC where he was a winner of the John McCarthy award.

But wanting to further his career and with competition for back row places so fierce at Munster, the Douglas native has been lured across the water. He managed to make two Magners League appearances for Munster, the last one coming as a substitute in the 24-21 comeback win over Ulster in March.

Hoping his Irish recruit will fill the void left by the departing back rower Shaun Brady, Rayer said: “We are hoping Ross can provide a bit of versatility given the reduced squad we will be operating with next season. It’s pretty difficult to break into the Munster back row, given the players of international experience they have got, so he is looking for somewhere to come and play his rugby.”

Noonan will link up with another former Irish U-21 at Goldington Road in the form of out-half Kieran Hallett.