James Cronin on brink of move to the English Premiership

Another young Irish international is on his way to the English Premiership with loosehead prop James Cronin set to leave Munster.

In a further blow to the province, former academy lock Ian Nagle is set to join Leinster during the summer when he returns to professional rugby after a two-year break from the game.

It is understood that Nagle (27), who is finishing a MBA business course at Cambridge, has agreed terms with Leinster. Munster were among a number of clubs interested in signing the lock who was man of the match for them in their 2010 win over Australia.

The Buttevant native last featured for them in December 2013, before he moved on loan to Newcastle in the English Premiership. Injury halted his progress before he decided to take break from the game altogether.

Meanwhile loosehead prop Cronin is poised for a move to an unnamed English club. A source close to the player confirmed yesterday that the deal was ‘75 per cent done’ and that the Ballincollig native was set to move across the water in the summer.

The news comes hot on the heels of reports that Leinster tighthead prop Marty Moore is poised to join Wasps.

Cronin, who is recovering from an ankle injury, has made 54 appearances for Munster. He made his Irish debut in the second Test against Argentina in the summer of 2014 and picked up his second cap off the bench against Italy in the Six Nations last year.