Munster have announced the signing of second row Mark Flanagan on a three-moth loan deal from reigning Aviva Premiership and Champions Cup winners Saracens.

The former Leinster player spent spells with Mont-de-Marsan in the French PRO D2 and Bedford Blues in the English Championship before joining Saracens last season, making 11 appearances for them in the Aviva Premiership.

The 28-year-old Westmeath native will link up with the squad early next week.

The departure of Donnacha Ryan has left a hole in the Irish province's lock stocks, with one-year replacement Gerbrandt Grobler out until after Christmas to compound matters.

Tadhg Beirne is widely expected to be arriving from Scarlets next season.

There have also been reports in the Australian media linking Munster with a move for Wallaby second-row Adam Coleman.

Online Editors