Keatley and Hanrahan set for number 10 battle

Munster have confirmed Ronan O’Gara’s replacement will be an Irish qualified out-half, meaning the onerous task of taking over from the legendary number 10 will likely rest on either Ian Keatley or JJ Hanrahan.

CEO Garrett Fitzgerald revealed: “it was never part of our policy to look for someone in that position. We have tried to bring fellows through and regardless of what decision Ronan took, it was an area in which we felt a need to give younger players a chance. In any case, the right wing is the only area under IRFU regulations in which we could sign an overseas player.”

Although the arrival of promising Leinster man Andrew Conway should go a long way towards plugging the gap left by the retirement of Doug Howlett, Fitzgerald admitted the search for a right wing continues.