Munster keep Casey, sign Ulster centre

Editor

Munster have announced that hooker Duncan Casey has signed a new two-year deal while centre Sam Arnold will arrive from Ulster next season.

Casey has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension, with academy player Sean McCarthy having signed a one-year development contract.

Arnold meanwhile will join the province on a two-year deal from their PRO12 rivals.

Arnold has played eleven times for Ulster with the 19-year-old most recently making his Champions Cup debut starting on the wing against Oyonnax in Charles Mathon in January.

On the retention front, Casey is the latest in a line of home-grown talent to secure their future with the province. The 25-year-old has made 40 appearances for Munster, scoring five tries.

Meanwhile, academy lock McCarthy is the third up-and-coming player to advance to the senior squad next season, joining academy colleagues Rory Scannell and David Johnston in gaining promotion to the senior ranks.

The 22-year-old will commence a one-year development contract at the start of the 2016/17 season.

Commenting on the contract news head coach Anthony Foley said: "Once again, today's news speaks volumes about this group of players – they are committed to the province and are ambitious to achieve something together. 

"Although still young, Duncan is an experienced player and we look forward to seeing him make a full return from injury while with Sean it's great to see another academy player make the step up. We also look forward to welcoming Sam to the squad as he has shown to be an exciting prospect for the future."