The Irish Independent understands that Munster have stepped up their pursuit to sign Joey Carbery, with head coach Johann van Graan having recently met with the Leinster player.

A decision on Carbery’s future is likely to be decided one way or another this week, and Munster have put forward their case for why he would be a good fit for them.

The contentious issue has been causing Carbery plenty of stress in recent weeks and, speaking after Leinster’s Guinness PRO14 triumph on Saturday, Johnny Sexton admitted that he had sympathy for the position that the supremely talented 22-year-old currently finds himself in.

“Look, he’s got a very tough decision to make,” Sexton said.

“It’s clear that it has weighed him down at times. I felt sorry for him.

“I tried to help him at times with his thought process. But look, he’s got a big decision to make.

“He’s very lucky, he is surrounded by some good people, I’m sure they will look after his best interests.

“But whatever team he’ll end up with next year, they will be very lucky to have him."

Online Editors