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21st Jan 2015

Tomás O’Leary’s return to Munster is confirmed

The 2008 Heineken Cup winner will be back next season

Neil Treacy

Munster have confirmed their first new signing for next season, with the news that London Irish scrum-half Tomás O’Leary is returning to the province.

O’Leary, who was part of the squad that won the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2008 left for London Irish in the summer of 2012, after falling behind Conor Murray in the pecking order.

He was also a big part of Ireland’s Grand Slam success in 2009, an unfortunate ankle injury ruling him out of the Lions tour that year.

After three years in the Premiership, O’Leary’s return to Thomond Park is now confirmed, what that means for Duncan Williams, whose contract is up this summer, remains to be seen though.

In other Munster news, the province have extended the contracts of flanker Dave O’Callaghan and winger Andrew Conway for another year, while the versatile front row Eusebio Guinazu has extended his short term contract until the end of the season, and should provide cover during the Six Nations.

Development outhalf Johnny Holland has also signed a two year contract with the province, continuing on development terms for the first season, and moving to a full contact after.