Munster have moved quickly to ease their injury problems by resigning back row Eddie Halvey from London Irish.
Last season's Heineken Cup finalists have lost international second row Paul O'Connell and Lions flanker David Wallace to long-term injuries this summer but Halvey's return to Ireland at least eases new coach Alan Gaffney's back row problems.
Halvey, 32, has joined his former province with immediate effect having been granted an early release from the final season of his contract.
He joined London Irish in July 2000 having appeared in Munster's Heineken Cup final defeat to Northampton at Twickenham that year and made 48 appearances for the Exiles, scoring nine tries.
London Irish director of rugby Conor O'Shea said: "We are sorry to lose Eddie, he has made a great contribution to the club both on and off the pitch - but given the opportunity that has arisen for Eddie it would be wrong for us to stand in the way of his wishes.
Munster team manager Jerry Holland said, " Eddie is a quality player. He is well known to Munster supporters and I'm sure they will join with me in welcoming him back into the Munster squad.
"He is a versatile player whose presence will make the competition for a place in the forwards all the keener.