All is finally confirmed: Joey Carbery is on his way to Munster. The out-half confirmed the news at a press conference this afternoon, as Joe Schmidt spoke to the media ahead of departure for a three-test series in Australia.
Carbery is believed to have signed a two-year deal at Thomond Park, having made 37 appearances for Leinster.
Reaction to the news has cleaved along predictable lines: Munster fans are delighted, while Leinster fans are....less so.
That Joey Carbery will look good at Munster 10 next season 😉
— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) May 26, 2018
Keatley, Hanrahan, Bleyendall, Johnston and now Carbery.... @Munsterrugby could nearly have an entire backline of just out halves next season if they wanted to. (And Conor Murray can kick from the tee too)
— Conor Sisk (@CSisk6) May 31, 2018
If Van Grann picks Carbery for as much as a minute at fullback Nucifora should sack him.
— Demented Mole (@dementedmole) May 31, 2018
Carbery moving to get game time at 10 makes sense for him & Ireland 1 year from RWC, but will miss him hugely at Leinster. Still a messy situation though...no solution to Ulster's 10 problem & now Munster stacked, which forces (probably) another difficult provincial switch
— Jonathan (@JFitzpatrick92) May 31, 2018
Are @Munsterrugby fans not embarrassed that there starting team in the Heineken Cup next year will likely be:
Kilcoyne
Marshall*
Archer
Kleyn*
Beirne*
O'Mahony
Cloete*
Stander*
Murray
Carbery*
Earls
Farrell*
Arnold*
Conway *
Haley*
* players not produced by Munster— Blah Blah Blue ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@BlaBlaBluester) May 31, 2018
Joey Carbery joins @Munsterrugby next season. Brave move considering the success at Leinster Rugby this season. Who from the current options at ten in Munster Rugby makes way? Carbery arrival has massive upside, elevate game of the team. #suaf #joeycarbery #Munster #irfu
— Hawkeye Sidekick (@hawkeyesidekick) May 31, 2018
Although it probably is in the best interest of Irish Rugby I still feel sick at the thought of Carbery playing for Munster next year 🤧🤢🤮 Good luck Joey! Hope to see you back in blue in the future! #IRFU #Carberry #Munster #Leinster
— Michael W Healy (@Mick_Healy) May 31, 2018
Cruel for Leinster but massively exciting for Munster fans. Carbery and Byrne coming in next season is huge!
— Jordan Egan (@JordanEgan1990) May 31, 2018
Elsewhere, Schmidt confirmed that Rory Best misses the tour with a hamstring injury. Peter O'Mahony and Johnny Sexton will share captaincy duties.
