Tom Farrell could be a 'moneyball' signing for Munster

New Munster centre Tom Farrell could prove to be something of a 'moneyball' signing for the province, according to Johne Murphy and Bernard Jackman.

The 30-year-old was one of three Munster debutants in Saturday’s thrilling 35-33 win against Connacht at Thomond Park, and impressed in his first competitive outing, which came against his former side.

Farrell spent seven years at Connacht and played more than 100 games out west, but injury hampered his best years in Galway, particularly in early 2019 when he earned an Ireland call-up ahead of the Six Nations.

The outside centre led his side with seven carries and made 11 tackles, as he teamed up with Alex Nankivell, and the pair looked comfortable in what could be Graham Rowntree’s first-choice midfield partnership this season.

The Dublin native was picked up as a direct replacement for Antoine Frisch, whose contract was bought out by Toulon towards the end of last season. Farrell was one of several experienced players who had been surprisingly let go by Connacht, and Jackman believes he and Nankivell have the makings of an excellent midfield duo.

"I think Nankivell is fairly easy to play outside, because he’s super consistent and he’s so direct," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

"Frisch and him had built a good relationship, but I think Farrell has a lot of ability.

"The only thing that’s held him back has been being injured, and maybe also not having the front-foot ball that he’s going to get more with Munster.

"This could be a big move for him. He had a bit of a fright where he needed to go to the market and it was a tough time to go to market.

"Frisch leaving opened up an opportunity for him to go to Munster, but as a partnership they really looked good.

"I think that was a