Graham Rowntree 'delighted' to get Jean Kleyn deal over the line

Graham Rowntree says it's a big relief to get second row Jean Kleyn tied down to a new contract.

The province confirmed a new two-year deal for the 30-year-old yesterday, which will ensure their 2022/23 Player of the Year remains in Limerick until the summer of 2026 at least.

There had been shades of doubt around the former Ireland international's future since the summer, when his call-up for South Africa meant he was no longer Irish-qualified. Kleyn want on to make his debut for the Springboks in July before winning the World Cup with his native country in October.

The Munster head coach admitted earlier this month that Kleyn's new status as an NIQ (non-Irish qualified) player created a "challenging situation" for the province, while there was reported interest in the second row from France, with Lyon named as potential suitors.

Yesterday's contract announcement put those rumours to bed however, and Rowntree says he's "delighted" to be able to keep his World Cup winner.

"It's good business for us," the Munster coach told RTE Sport.

"Player of the Year, played a lot of minutes for us. I'm delighted with that. He's always been clear in his love for Limerick, and playing for the club. There was a few people sniffing around him, I'm just delighted we got it over the line."

While Munster will keep Kleyn, they've confirmed they expected news that their other Springbok World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman (below) will depart at the end of this season.

Snyman's three and a half years so far in Ireland have been blighted by injury, with back to back cruciate ligament injuries seeing him play just 10 times for the province, while he's currently recovering from surgery on his shoulder/chest, which is likely to keep him out until March.

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