The dreaded situation of Conor Murray and Keith Earls leaving Irish rugby seemed very real in the last few months. Thankfully, the IRFU have come to the rescue after Earls was close to signing for Saracens, and the pair have signed on with the IRFU for three more years.
It will take both players up to the World Cup in 2019, and Munster can now focus on player recruitment and attempting to retain Simon Zebo's services now that two big players are on long term deals.
After the James Cronin's u-turn from a potential move to the Premiership, it's the second big turnaround for a Munster player signing a new deal.
It could be that Munster's player's agents are earning their money more than ever - whilst Leinster are wondering if their players are being more honest in their desire to leave these shores.
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Picture credit: Matt Impey / SPORTSFILE
