11:54am, 31 May 2018

RugbyPass understands that confirmation of Joey Carbery’s move to Munster is imminent.

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The move has been a number of weeks in the making but now looks to be a done deal.

Initially it was thought that Carbery would make the move north to Ulster’s Kingspan Stadium, but in recent weeks it has become clear that a move south to Thomond Park was the likely option for the 22-year-old Kildare man.

Leinster were keen to hold onto the versatile back, but their efforts appear to have been in vain.

“Joey has developed brilliantly at Leinster and I think this is where he should stay,” said Lancaster.

“He’s such a good player, a talented player I think. It’s through no fault of anyone’s that he hasn’t played as much this year, he’s been injured.”

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However, today a source close to the Leinster camp has confirmed to RugbyPass that the move is imminent and will be officially announced this week.

A switch deal had been mooted that would see Keatley move to Ulster.

Such a deal might be enough to satisfy both parties, with Ulster getting an experienced 10 in Ian Keatley, while Carbery gets to play at a province that more closely matches Leinster’s ability to make the closing stages of competitions.

Keatley could potentially act as a better mentor to promising Ulster 10 Jonny McPhilips than Carbery could.

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Carbery made his break-through for Leinster at the start of the 2016/17, when selected to start in the home game against Zebre.

In October 2016, he was selected on the Ireland national squad to play against New Zealand at Soldier Field, Chicago, in the opening game of the November test series where Ireland won 40-29, brought on as a substitute in the 59th minute earning his first Ireland cap in the historic victory.