These are interesting times in the age-old Leinster-Munster rivalry. RG Snyman's rumoured big money move up the M7 to Leinster was confirmed on Tuesday, but it will be interesting to see if any of the current Leinster squad are heading in the opposite direction next season. Rumours about Joey Carbery's future could spring a domino effect of sorts for Ireland's outhalf crop.
Yesterday, Midi Olympique's online arm Rugbyrama.fr published a report stating that Bordeaux Bégles were interested in bringing Joey Carbery to the Stade de Bordeaux next season. Bordeaux are splashing the cash on the transfer market, having signed Scotland second row Jonny Gray last week.
The interest has been confirmed in the Irish media today.
The move would make perfect sense for the 28-year-old - who signed a two-year contract extension in January 2022 - at this juncture of his career.
Joey Carbery, of course, left Leinster to join Munster in 2018. The move was designed to let the Athy man step out of Johnny Sexton's shadow and establish his credentials as his heir apparent.
It didn't exactly work out that way, as Carberry's time at Munster has been riddled by injury.
Jack Crowley has emerged as arguably Ireland's best outhalf in 2023.
SEE ALSO: Byrne Vs Frawley Debate Highlights Growing Issue For Leinster & Ireland
Joey Carbery and Leinster's outhalf logjam
Joey Carbery leaving Ireland could have other unintended consequences. It could help solve Leinster's outhalf logjam.
Leinster are currently spoiled for choice at the position, with Ross and Harry Byrne, phenom Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley on the books.
Carbery's rumoured move to France coupled with Ben Healy's departure to Scotland means Munster will absolutely need to bolster the position ahead of next season.
Frawley has been earmarked for success by Andy Farrell and started both games against the Māoris at outhalf on Ireland's tour of New Zealand in 2022.
The Skerries man has proved his importance to Leinster over the past month, in a variety of roles - he started at fullback three weeks ago vs Connacht and scored the game's winning try. He was named to the bench for Leinster's trip to La Rochelle 8 days later and came on after Harry Byrne's head injury, and kicked a crucial 60m penalty to the seal the result. He had another stellar cameo for Leinster replacing an injured Ross Byrne at the Aviva for Leinster's game against Munster last month. He finally got the chance to start at outhalf for Leinster for Sale's visit to Dublin on Saturday night.
Frawley finds himself in a very similar position to Carbery before his eventual move from Leinster back in 2018: possessing obvious international credentials but stuck in a bit of positional limbo due to Leinster's other outhalf talent.
Moving to Munster would certainly mean more minutes for outhalf for Frawley but would leave Graham Rowntree with a potential selection headache on big games.
That said both he and Crowley are versatile players.
Were one of Leinster's more established outhalves to join Munster, it would free up more playing time for Sam Prendergast, who has marveled at U20 level for Ireland and already established himself within in the Leinster squad in his first year as a pro.
Of course, nothing has been agreed yet on Joey Carbery's side. Speculation aside, we're about to enter a very intriguing period in the post-Johnny Sexton era.
