Munster defence coach Denis Leamy says he expects a decision to be made around Peter O'Mahony's future "very soon", as the Ireland captain contemplates whether or not to sign a new deal.
O'Mahony is weighing up a contract extension from Munster, and admitted after Ireland's Six Nations title win in March that he would have to make a decision around whether or not to keep playing beyond this summer.
The 34-year-old's IRFU central contract expires this summer, and he has been offered a deal by the province, which the IRFU are expected to top up.
His provincial and Ireland team-mate Conor Murray is also leaving the central contract system this summer, but the scrum-half has signed on for another year with Munster by agreeing an extension to 2025.
And Munster assistant Leamy says he believes there is an update coming on O'Mahony imminently.
"That's still ongoing, but I'm led to believe there will be white smoke very soon," Leamy said.
While Munster wait on O'Mahony's decision, Leamy was delighted to secure Murray's signature for another season.
The Munster defence coach played with the scrum-half between 2010 and 2012 before his own retirement, and says it's no surprise to see Murray continuing on beyond his 35th birthday this month.
"What was obvious from the very start was the talent he had, and his ability, his calmness, his decision-making, his work-ethic and through that application of his game, he's improved and improved over the years.
"Like every player that plays well into their 30's, he's needed a little bit of luck with injury as well. Conor [above] has had his injuries as well but he's responded well to them and come back.
"He's had a tremendous career for Munster, Ireland, the Lions, one of the best players, certainly, that I've played with, and of the last 25 years an incredible talent," he added.
Munster look set to welcome RG Snyman back into their squad for this Sunday's Investec Champions Cup last 16 tie with Northampton Saints. The second row was a late withdrawal from the squad that defeated Cardiff in the URC on Saturday due to a virus, but returned to full training this week.
Calvin Nash, meanwhile, is "a little bit further behind" in his recovery from a leg injury.
Sunday's trip to Northampton provides Munster with the opportunity for revenge against the Saints, who were the last side to beat them back in January.
The Premiership leaders were 26-23 winners when the sides met in the pool stage, and Leamy is welcoming the chance for redemption.
"I think it's a great challenge, they're a very, very good attack. We know that from playing against them the last couple of years.
"They're really well put together, they have special players like Alex Mitchell, they have power players like [Juarno] Augustus, [Curtis] Langdon, Courtney Lawes comes to mind. Really good players who are handful.
"You look at the talent that Fin Smith, at 10, has, so there's challenges right across the park. We just have to concentrate on ourselves.
"We've been pretty good this season [in defence]. We have, I think, the lowest tries conceded in our own domestic league and we have to fall back on things like that, trust our principles, our decision-making and bring a little bit of physicality and energy to it. We'll be well in the mix hopefully," Leamy added.
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