Nick McCarthy ready to battle for Munster place

Nick McCarthy knew he would have a battle on his hands for game-time when he left Leinster for Munster during the season, but it’s a task he is fired-up for as he becomes the latest to make the journey south from the arch-rivals.

The emergence of Irish U-20 scrum-half Craig Casey has cranked up the competition for the No.9 jersey with Munster, although with former All Black Alby Mathewson bringing his 15-month spell with the Reds to an end at the end of November, there is one less in the hunt.