Playmaker.

Munster Rugby’s options at fly-half are about to get even thinner following the announcement that Ireland international Joey Carbery will be departing the province at the end of the season.

Having already lost Ben Healy to Edinburgh at the end of last season, Munster could be left with only Jack Crowley in their ranks as the only recognised senior fly-half at the club.

Crowley has excelled in the Six Nations and looks to be Munster and Ireland’s long-term solution at 10 but he will need some back-up at Munster next season alongside academy prodigy Tony Butler.

And it appears Munster fans won’t have to wait much longer with head coach Graham Rowntree telling the Irish Examiner that an announcement is imminent, with the southern province set to bring in an experienced fly-half as backup to Crowley.

“Watch this space,” Rowntree told the Irish Examiner.

“I can’t say anymore, we’ll make an announcement soon enough.

“It’s important. Jack is Jack. He’s leading Ireland at the moment and Jack’s still got a long way to go, he’ll be the first to admit that but his calmness and his composure under pressure is incredibly impressive.

“We’ve got Jack and Tony coming through and Dylan Hicks coming through and Tom Wood, Keith’s son, coming through as well. There’s probably scope for somebody in the middle of that to help bring through the young men.

“We’re likely to have Jack away for long swathes of time so there’s probably scope for someone to come in.”

Munster have been linked with Ulster’s Billy Burns to fill that void in recent weeks but who they ultimately sign remains to be seen.