A Premiership player, a Leinster young gun and a former All-Black could all be on their way to Munster this summer.

According to the Irish Times today, the southern province are aiming to substantially boost their squad and have targeted former Ireland A international James Downey, Cardiff Blues centre and former All-Black Casey Laulala and Leinster and Ireland back row forward Rhys Ruddock as potential arrivals ahead of next season.

With Keith Earls not quite fulfilling his potential at outside centre, Danny Barnes still a little raw and Lifeimi Mafi not getting any younger, Munster have struggled for spark in the midfield at times this season and it is an area that they are looking to strengthen considerably in the coming months.

Downey, who has done a tour of the Irish provinces and played with every one of them bar Ulster in the past, has been with Northampton since 2007 but has been frozen out of the set-up a little this season, despite playing a big part in the Saints’ path to the Heineken Cup Final last year.

As well as Downey, Munster are looking to further enhance their midfield options with Laulala, the Cardiff Blues centre who has two caps for the All-Blacks and has scored 14 tries in 54 games for the Blues in the last two seasons.

The potential arrival of Rhys Ruddock is bound to be the subject of most debate. The 21-year old signed a contract that lasts for only one year earlier this season and faces an almighty challenge to establish himself in the back row with competition in the guise of Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings and young guns such as Dominic Ryan.

Leinster are reported to be pretty keen not to let Ruddock slip through their fingers, but a move to the south might appeal if there was more first team opportunities on the table.

No moves to sign any of the players mentioned have been confirmed as of yet, but it seems as if change is afoot down south.