Munster have announced the short-term signing of New Zealand scrum-half Alby Mathewson, with Conor Murray set to be sidelined for the start of the new season.
Johann van Graan’s side get their Pro14 campaign underway at Thomond Park on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm) against Toyota Cheetahs but will be without their first choice number nine for the immediate future.
The Ireland international would have been expected to feature by round three or four of the competition, but a neck injury could have him sidelined for even longer and Mathewson will joins on a four-month deal subject to being granted a valid work permit.
The 32-year-old Kiwi scrum-half has made five appearances for the All Blacks and has played Super Rugby for the Hurricanes, Blues, and Western Force.
At the beginning of the 2017/18 season he joined Toulon and played for the Top 14 club on 19 occasions, including the Champions Cup quarter-final against Munster in Thomond Park.