Johann van Graan confident Munster will retain ‘majority’ of players

Keith Earls: One of at least 20 players with contracts expiring at the end of the year. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Johann van Graan is optimistic Munster will be able to retain “the majority” of their players for next season now IRFU contract negotiations are finally underway.

At least 20 of Munster’s 39-man senior squad have deals set to expire this summer, including the centrally-contracted Keith Earls, captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander, while among the frontline players up for renewal are Craig Casey, JJ Hanrahan, Mike Haley, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Billy Holland and the Scannell brothers, Niall and Rory.