This week’s news that Connacht star Robbie Henshaw has decided to leave his native province and link up with Leinster has come as another source of disappointment for Munster fans disenchanted with their team’s poor form and a perception that not a whole lot is being done about it.

Having retained their own marquee players this year Munster are still eager to recruit a top-level foreign player who can make a “big impact”. But a former Ireland international believes the province's hands are being tied by IRFU policy.