Munster and the IRFU have confirmed that Leinster and Irish out half Joey Carbery is to join the province on what is said to be a two-year-deal.
Carbery has been the focus of speculation for the last number of weeks with both Munster and Ulster supposedly vying for his services.
It is believed that a meeting with head coach Johann van Graan last week tipped the balance in Munster’s favour.
Irish coach Joe Schmidt has been wanting Carbery to get more game time at out half after struggling for minutes this season due to the form of Johnny Sexton and Ross Byrne.
Carbery will join a well stocked out half pool at Munster with Tyler Bleyendaal, Ian Keatley, JJ Hanrahan and Bill Johnston already with the province.
The Clontarf clubman has played 37 times for Leinster and 10 times for Ireland, mainly as Sexton’s understudy.
Irish head coach Joe Schmidt has welcomed the move but admitted his shock that Carbery has ended up at Munster.
“The initial conversation with Leo (Cullen), myself and David Nucifora was not the best timing for any of us,” Schmidt said at an Irish press conference ahead of the three test series in Australia.
“I had a job to do. All we asked was if there was any interest for Ross (Byrne) or Joey to go to Ulster. We had to see if there was any chance at all.
“If there was no interest then it was a different story. (Joey) mulled that over, got an approach from Munster in the mean time.
“He has been superbly coached at Leinster and has had really great role models. I think in anyone’s pathway in development I think if you are not playing the position it is very hard to develop in that position. I’ve no doubt that with that base he can spring board into a more senior position.
“I think as a number 10, if you are not running the team during the week it’s hard to just jump in the saddle and take the reins.
“The proof is in the pudding. He’s going to get an opportunity and there is going to be competition.”It may turn out to be a good move if he can make the most of it.”
Carbery is part of the Irish squad for that Australian tour and will be joined by Niall Scannell who has been drafted into the squad.
Scannell comes in after Rory Best was ruled out of the tour. It is understood that both Sexton and Peter O’Mahony will share captaincy duties in Best’s absence.
