Mario Sagario steps into breach for Munster

Munster head coach Anthony Foley has confirmed that Uruguayan prop Mario Sagario has signed a three-month contract to help the province deal with the absence of long-term injured (neck) Stephen Archer.

Foley is also set to finalise his 41-man squad for the upcoming European campaign and may add an additional back row forward. Munster had been engaged in negotiations with at least two players to provide cover for injured skipper Peter O’Mahony, who faces an operation on a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Sagario, who trained on a trial basis with the squad this week, most recently started in all of Uruguay’s Pool A World Cup games and has made 51 appearances for his country. The 29-year-old tighthead formerly played with French Pro D2 sides RC Massy and Dax. It also seems likely that BJ Botha’s contract will be extended beyond the end of December, with Foley very anxious to hold onto Botha beyond that deadline. To that end, he has been in negotiations with the Irish Rugby Football Union to allow a deal to be brokered.