Brian Carney announced his retirement in January 2007

The 30-year-old Cork-born winger surprised many by retiring in January before he had played for his new Australian club, the Gold Coast Titans.

Munster are keen to have Carney for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup.

Carney could be included in Ireland's Churchill Cup squad or on the senior tour to Argentina in the summer.

There are a number of rugby league and union clubs in Britain chasing Carney whose playing contract is still held by the Titans.

Terry O'Connor, Carney's agent, told the Sunday Independent that everything depended on the attitude of the Titans who may not want to deny the player a chance of playing international rugby union.

"That is a bridge that has not been crossed yet," said O'Connor.

"If Brian says he wants to play, then we will see what happens. There has been no deal done with the Titans to release him."

Unlike other rugby league converts, Carney has had experience of the union game having been schooled at Clongowes Wood, Gordon D'Arcy's alma mater in Kildare.

Carney originally caught the eye in the 13-man game while playing with Irish amateurs the Dublin Blues before signing professionally for Gateshead Thunder in 1999.

He made his name in the Super League with Wigan Warriors and debuted for GB in 2003. He moved to Australia and played for Newcastle Knights last season scoring 16 tries in the 2006 season.

He left the Knights at Christmas to honour a contract with the Titans, but returned home without playing a game.