“Maybe they are behind the scenes.”

Ronan O’Gara says he cannot understand why his former club Munster are not in the frame to sign Leinster outhalf Joey Carbery, with the youngster seemingly destined to leave the eastern province.

Joe Schmidt and the IRFU are keen to get Carbery some more game time at ten ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, with a move to Ulster being lined up for the 22-year-old.

But O’Gara thinks a move to Munster for Carbery makes sense if Tyler Bleyendaal’s ongoing injury problems persist.

“It is obviously a big tour for Joey Carbery, but every bit as big, and bigger, is the decision of where he plays in club rugby from next autumn.” O’Gara wrote

“I am struggling to understand (again, not being privy to the thoughts of Landsdowne Road on this) why Munster are not in the frame for Carbery,” he said.”

“Maybe they are behind the scenes.”

“Ian Keatley is 31 now, so that’s not succession planning. And on form, Carbery is ahead of JJ Hanrahan.”

“The unknown factor in this is Tyler Bleyendaal, who has been so unlucky with a problematic neck issue. One presumes if he is fit he starts for Munster next season, hence coming into the frame for Ireland.”

“But we aren’t sure when Tyler is available again to resume his professional career. If he isn’t, then Carbery coming to Munster becomes a live debate surely?”

“Hopefully it’s good news on Tyler. If so, he’s the one looking to challenge Johnny (Sexton) for the World Cup with Carbery. But if Tyler’s injury problems persist, it makes sense for Munster and for the national team to have Carbery in Munster.”