Carbery signs new Munster deal, while O'Connell confirms Stade Francais departure and adds intrigue over his next move

Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed that flyhalf Joey Carbery has signed a new deal.

The 23-year-old out-half joined Munster on a two-year deal last summer and after settling in from the off now puts pen to paper for a further two years with the province, that will see him remain with Munster until June 2022.

Scoring 143 points in 13 appearances, the young playmaker is the Champions Cup top-scorer so far this season with 68 points in the pool stages and he also leads the way in the Guinness PRO14’s Golden Boot standings with an 87% success rate off the tee.

On the international front, Carbery has made six appearances for Ireland this season to bring his international tally to 18 caps.

📣 CONTRACT NEWS | @JoeyCarbery has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Munster until June 2022!

Full details > > https://t.co/jJJKw7lEj5#SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/1iNHmWvz2G

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 26, 2019

A further positive sees Head Coach Johann van Graan boost his scrum-half options ahead of the World Cup period with Alby Mathewson remaining with the province until the end of November.

With Johnny Sexton now 33 years old, a switch back to Leinster may have been on the cards once Carbery’s initial deal was done.

The news of Athy man’s extension is good news for Ross Byrne, who has been Sexton’s understudy at Leinster racking up 65 appearances for Leo Cullen’s side.

Meanwhile Paul O’Connell has confirmed he’ll be leaving Stade Francais at the end of the season.

O’Connell had been linked to a coaching role with Toulon, a club he signed a deal with as a player before injury during the 2015 Rugby World Cup forced his retirement, but he has dismissed that suggestion.

#Officiel Merci à Monsieur @Paul_OConnell pour son professionnalisme et son investissement sans faille au quotidien. Cap ensemble sur cette fin de saison palpitante et les objectifs qui nous attendent ! 💪☘#SFParis

— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) March 26, 2019

“I have decided not to stay beyond my contract year with the club and do not plan to join another club next season either. I had a great adventure at the Stade Français Paris. I am grateful to the club for the opportunity they gave me to live and work in Paris.” O’Connell said.

“I was delighted to be able to work alongside Heyneke Meyer, the staff and all the club’s players. Finally, I am looking forward to the end of the season and I hope to be able to help the club during the eventual finals of the Top 14. ”

In other news: France chasing high-profile Kiwis for 2023 World Cup cycle