Munster Academy and Shannon flanker Eoghan Grace has joined Exeter Chiefs.

The versatile youngster began his career at full-back before moving to the front row and finally settling for life as a flanker… although he did fill in at centre when Shannon had an injury crisis last year.

The 22-year-old was part of the Ireland U20s Grand Slam-winning squad in 2007 and has worn the green shirt for Ireland’s sevens side too.

Grace, who is 6ft 2ins tall and weighs in at 15st 6lbs, favours the openside flanker position.

Head coach Rob Baxter said: “Eoghan is a player who I have been following now for quite some time. I first started talking to his agent before Christmas when I was looking to add hungry players to our squad. He has played some big games for Shannon and probably feels unlucky not to have progressed further in the Munster set-up.

“Eoghan came over to join in with some of our pre season testing and showed up well; not many forwards beat Tom Johnson over 40 metres and 100 metres. He showed up well in the conditioned games we played and although he is not a household name, I think he may be a name for the future.

“We have real strength in the back-row where I am going to challenge our players to go out and attack games in the Premiership and Eoghan only adds to that strength.”