JOEY CARBERY WILL leave Leinster to join Munster, the player and IRFU have confirmed this afternoon.
The out-half will move to the southern province ahead of the 2018/19 season.
Carbery has been the subject of ongoing links away from the European and Pro14 champions as the need for him to play regularly in the out-half position grows in the year leading up to the World Cup.
Ulster were originally mooted as a suitable destination given their need for a senior out-half, but Munster head coach Johann van Graan reportedly met with Carbery recently to discuss the possibility of moving to Limerick.
No details have been released on the length of contract, or whether his switch is a loan agreement.
Carbery is part of Schmidt’s squad for Ireland’s summer tour of Australia after helping Leinster to a historic double this season.
The 22-year-old has made 37 appearances for his native province after coming through Leinster’s famed academy, but his game time at out-half has been limited with Carbery starting there just once in blue last season.
At international level, the former Blackrock College student has won 10 Ireland caps, scoring 22 points, but Schmidt has often stressed the need for him to gain exposure and experience in the number 10 jersey.
The Ireland head coach and IRFU performance director David Nucifora reportedly met with Leinster head coach Leo Cullen in the week of the province’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Saracens requesting Carbery or Ross Byrne move to Ulster next season to replace Paddy Jackson.
However, neither player wanted to leave for Belfast and after turning down a 12-month loan deal with the northern province, Carbery has agreed terms with Munster ahead of next season.
With less than 18 months until the 2019 World Cup, Schmidt is keen for Carbery — his second choice 10 behind Johnny Sexton — to get valuable game time and it now appears he will move ahead of Ian Keatley, JJ Hanrahan, Tyler Bleyendaal and 20-year-old Bill Johnston in the Munster pecking order.
Carbery made an impressive cameo off the bench in Leinster’s Pro14 final win over Scarlets last weekend, and the reasons behind his switch to Munster will be revealed when he speaks to the media at Carton House this afternoon.
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