Qualification for the 2027 World Cup and… a change of club. The last few hours have been eventful ones for tighthead prop Michael Alaalatoa. First, on Tuesday, the former Leinster man watched Samoa qualify for the World Cup against Belgium.

Straight afterwards, on Wednesday, his club Clermont announced that the tighthead was joining the province of Munster with immediate effect.

Last season, the former Crusaders man played just 13 matches across all competitions, four of them as a starter. Behind Montagne and Ojovan, the Samoan never truly managed to establish himself.

“Everyone at the club, where he showed great professionalism throughout his time here, wishes him all the best for the rest of his career“, ASM stressed in a statement.