Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan are united in their view that Simon Zebo is an excellent addition to the Munster ranks, after his return was confirmed this week.
Zebo will return to his home province after a three-year spell at French side Racing 92, in which time he's scored 21 tries in 55 games.
Speaking on this morning's OTB AM, La Rochelle head coach O'Gara said Zebo is an excellent acquisition, although he has serious competition when it comes to getting back in green.
"You'd pick Hugo Keenan. He's in form, he's been one of Ireland's best players for me. There's no debate on it at the minute.
"What happens now is Simon re-enters the calculations to play for Ireland, he has to perform well for Munster [and] if he performs well for Munster he gets into the Ireland training camp, [if he] performs well in training he may get a shot at it.
"The incumbent is rightly Hugo Keenan, he has performed excellently, but all of a sudden you have a player with huge x-factor, who has the capacity to play big on the big occasion. That is only an advantage for Irish rugby."
O'Gara says Zebo will bring more than just talent to Johann van Graan's dressing room.
"Everything about him is great. [He's] fantastic company, fantastic philosophy on life, fantastic guy to have in your camp. [He's] very positive, huge energy, adds an awful lot to an environment.
"He's only 31. It's amazing because genetically he has an awful lot of strong points, he just needs to knuckle down to training like he's well capable of doing.
"He's gonna be a serious asset to Munster and Ireland."
Alan Quinlan echoed those views, saying he brings a level of flair that adds significantly to what Munster can bring to the table.
"He's the kind of player that would excite any team to have him back involved with his ability and that x-factor and the off-the-cuff stuff that he can do with his finishing.
"I didn't think before it happened that there was a need to get him given the back three players that Munster have... but to have someone like Zebo coming back and to actually have the IRFU funding it is good for Munster.
"He's a great player, I love that he plays with a smile on his face, and what he can do is second to none. A lot of what he can do is what a lot of players can't seem to do, and it's to do stuff off-the-cuff and play with a natural flair and brilliance."
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