Munster have confirmed the signing of out-half Billy Burns from Ulster in the summer on a one-year contract.
The 29-year old will join Graham Rowntree's side as another out-half option, in the wake of Joey Carbery's confirmed departure for France.
Burns, capped seven times for Ireland during 2020 and 2021, has spent the past six seasons at Ulster after joining from Gloucester in the summer of 2018.
"I'm excited by it actually. He’s going to be great and particularly good for helping the young guys come through," Munster head coach Graham Rowntree said.
"We need someone with a bit of experience and he’s at a crossroads in his career. He’s 29 and it’s a new challenge for him. He likes how we’re playing the game and I think he’s going to fit in really well.
"When the opportunity came to speak to him I was really excited but having spoken to him, I think he’s going to be a great addition to this squad."
News of the transfer was first reported in January after it emerged Ulster had opted against offering him a contract extension, as they looked to trim their budget for next season.
And Rowntree admitted that while he was pleased to sign the Ireland international, he was surprised to see the player become available.
"He’s keen to kick on with his career. As I say, he’s at a crossroads. It’s a change of scenery for him and his family, a change of playing style but he’ll give us a bit of experience, obviously with Jack [Crowley] doing what Jack's doing there’s a bit of void, isn’t there?
"We’ve got some great young talent coming through like Tony Butler, Dylan Hicks, Tom Wood but we need a bit of experience. Someone who can help those young guys come through and someone who can play, someone who we think will actually challenge Jack as well. So he ticks a lot of boxes there.
"It's very important, his experience. He’s been around, played international rugby, played at the highest end and been in some big games with Ulster," he added.
The signing of an experienced out-half comes at just the right time for Munster. Crowley's status as first choice 10 for Ireland means he will be available less often to the province, while the departure of Joey Carbery in the summer means Rowntree's side looked short on experience in the position.
But the Munster coach believes Burns won't be coming to Thomond Park simply to play back-up to Crowley.
"It’s not just a bridge from the youth to the older players. I wanted to challenge Jack.
"I actually think the way we play the game will really suit him [Burns] and a change of scenery and he was just really excited by it and I was having spoken to him.
"I think he’ll be a great acquisition for us."
Alongside confirmation of Burns' arrival, prop John Ryan and versatile second row Cian Hurley have both signed one-year contract extensions at Munster.
Meanwhile prop Oli Jager and second row Fineen Wycherley have both joined the province's injury list with knee issues..
The pair are visiting a specialist this week to see if surgery is required.
"We'll see what the surgeon says," Rowntree added.
"They’ve gone over for a surgical review, it doesn’t always necessarily mean they’ll go in there and do something, though in my experience they will, but we’ll see what the experts say."
Watch a URC double-header, Connacht v Emirates Lions (5.15pm) and Zebre v Leinster (7.35pm), on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
