Hawaiian prop Roman Salanoa will make the move to Munster ahead of the 2020-21 Guinness Pro 14 season. The 22-year-old tighthead leaves Leinster, where he has been part of the senior academy since September 2017. A move west to Connacht had been suggested but instead it’s the southern Irish province where he will now call home.
Salanoa was part of the USA’s squad for the 2016 World Rugby u20 Trophy in Zimbabwe. Also a standout football player at Kahuku High, his power and athleticism earned him a spot with Leinster and he made his senior debut against Ulster in December.
While he remains eligible to represent the Eagles, Salanoa will be qualified to play for Ireland in September on three-year residency. Assuming he is not selected before January 1, he would then be required to wait until September 2022 to play for Ireland under the new five-year criteria.