Glasgow Warriors target Ben Healy would develop in Scotland, says Chris Paterson

He has already been described as “Dan Carter-ish” and if Ben Healy is allowed to leave Munster to join Glasgow Warriors there will be a national outcry in Ireland.

Ben Healy helped Munster beat Glasgow last month and has since been linked with a move to the Warriors. Picture: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

The young stand-off is enjoying a breakthrough season as fans of the Scottish pro teams have discovered to their cost.

The 21-year-old was instrumental in Pro14 wins over Edinburgh and Glasgow and it’s little wonder the Warriors want to prise the player from Munster’s grasp.

It’s an ambitious gambit but, with Adam Hastings heading to Gloucester, the Warriors need reinforcements at No 10. They have already opened talks with Duncan Weir but Glasgow coach Danny Wilson has made it clear he wants more than one new stand-off.

Chris Paterson, the Scotland cap centurion, began his career at 10 and likes the look of Healy.

“I’ve seen a lot of him and been really impressed,” said the former Edinburgh man. “There’s a lot of good young 10s in Ireland. At first I thought they were all quite similar, but Ben Healy’s probably overtaken one or two of them – Harry Byrne’s had a lot of success for Leinster – but it looks like there’s this young crop of 10s driving each other on, but I’ve been impressed by Healy. His physicality, he takes the ball to the line well, he kicks well, he looks unfazed at his goal-kicking.

“I love the fact that with his goal-kicking, he just puts the ball down and hits it. I love that approach, obviously he goes through his process and his routine, but it’s just: ‘Bang. Get down and kick it’, and it’s such a pure strike.”

The intriguing extra dynamic as far as Healy is concerned is that he is Scottish-qualified, which might just persuade the Murrayfield hierarchy to push the boat out to land their man.

Chris Paterson will be on commentary duties for Premier Sports when Edinburgh take on Glasgow at BT Murrayfield on January 2.

Paterson, who will be on commentary duties for Premier Sports at next weekend’s Edinburgh v Glasgow 1872 Cup clash, thinks Healy has the game to play anywhere.

“I think he would develop in Scotland well, he’s got the raw materials and wherever he ends up playing his rugby he can be an influential player,” said Paterson.

“In almost every game he’s played in he’s had an influence. Every game he’s started he’s had an impact.”

What could work in Glasgow and Scotland’s favour is the surfeit of talented 10s in Ireland. If Healy feels he is not going to play regularly for Munster, with the likes of JJ Hanrahan ahead of him in the pecking order, a move to Scotstoun might further his career.

Eddie O’Sullivan, the former Ireland coach, had typically blunt advice for the Irish Province.

“If he is good enough, you back the kid,” he told the rugby website, The 42. “Make him your No 1 out-half, pick him to start the big games, then pay him the money he is worth. If you don’t think he’s that good, let him go. But don’t mess about if you think he’s up to it. Pick him, play him, pay him.”

Chris Paterson will join John Barclay, Jim Hamilton, Dougie Vipond, Rory Hamilton and Jenny Drummond to cover Glasgow’s 1872 Cup clash with Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield on January 2 on Premier Sports 1 from 2.30pm. Visit www.premiersports.com for more information

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.