Leinster front-rowers Michael Milne and Lee Barron have joined Munster on loan for the rest of the season before their summer moves to the province.

Loose-head prop Milne, 25, and hooker Barron, 23, had already signed two-year deals with Munster in January to join at the end of the current campaign.

However, an injury crisis in Munster's front-row, with Jeremy Loughman and Diarmuid Barron having both picked injuries in the past fortnight, promoted the Leinster pair make an earlier-than-anticipated switch to Thomond Park.

They will train with Munster this week and are in line to make their debut for the province against Bulls in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Milne scored 12 tries in 48 appearances for Leinster after making his debut as an academy player in 2019.

He represented Emerging Ireland in 2022 and has twice been called up to train with the Ireland senior squad.

Barron represented Ireland at Under-20 level and contributed three tries in 23 appearances since making his bow for Leinster against the Sharks in 2022.

He has spent the past five years at Leinster and scored one try in seven appearances this campaign.