Munster rugby sign exciting young prospect on a two-year contract

Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the signing of exciting young centre Dan Kelly from Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2025/26 season on a two-year contract.

23-year-old Kelly, who qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, played alongside Tom Ahern and Jack Crowley for the Ireland U20s in 2020.

The trio helped Ireland win the Triple Crown before the competition was suspended after three games due to the pandemic.

He has scored 10 tries in 88 appearances for Leicester since making his debut in 2020.

A midfielder capable of playing at inside and outside centre, Kelly was born in Manchester and joined the Sale Sharks Academy at the age of 16 in 2017.

He spent two years at Sale and earned a scholarship at Loughborough University where he played in their National League squad.

After starring for the Ireland U20s as an 18-year-old, Kelly joined Leicester Tigers in 2020 and made his Premiership debut against Gloucester at the age of 19.

The 2020/21 season saw Kelly establish himself as a key member of the Tigers squad, scoring two tries in 17 appearances and appearing in the Challenge Cup final.

He earned one cap for England against Canada in 2021 and played an integral role in Leicester’s Premiership title-winning campaign in 2022, making 23 appearances over the season.

He continued his strong run of form over the following two seasons with six tries in 38 games.

Kelly was included in the England squad for the 2023 Six Nations but missed out due to injury and has scored one try in seven appearances for Leicester so far this season.