Prior to October's news that Simon Zebo will depart Munster at the end of the season with an as yet unknown Top 14 club his destination, rumours that players might leave the Irish provinces were easily dismissed as agents trying to leverage a better deal for their player.
Zebo leaving has somewhat changed that perception. The possibility that Peter O'Mahony might also leave Munster now seems very real. The back row said during the week that if a new and improved deal is not confirmed with the IRFU by January, he will exit Thomond Park.
France and England are both possible destinations for O'Mahony. Ruaidhri O'Connor reports in today's Irish Independent that Gloucester are the English club courting the 28-year-old.
Former Ireland out-half David Humphreys is the man trying to tempt O'Mahony to the Aviva Premiership. Humphreys has been Director of Rugby at the club since 2014.
O'Mahony would replace another 2017 Lions tourist at the club. Ross Moriarty, who was a surprise inclusion in Warren Gatland's squad for the trip to New Zealand, is moving to the Pro14 with the Dragons. It is another Irishman, this time Bernard Jackman, who has lured Moriarty.
Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
