CJ Stander's future is currently the source of much discussion with his contract due to expire next year.
With the news both Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Furlong have signed long term deals with the IRFU, the future of Munster's number 8 should be decided soon.
Former Leinster and Connacht out-half, Andy Dunne, joined OTB AM on Monday and believes that while Stander is a huge player for the southern province - it was more important to get O'Mahony's signature in the long run.
"It's probably controversial but you could replace him (Stander). I think O'Mahony would have been a greater loss just based on who he is. Everything about his fabric seems to be 'he is Mr. Munster' and he's the new Paul O'Connell.
"I think had he gone it would have just left a hole in their whole emotional set-up. It would have left a big gap and it would have been a signal of intent from a guy who is, literally, cut him open and he bleeds Munster.
"If he had have gone and left - it would have been a huge chasm in the whole Munster ethos. I think Stander, while he represents a lot of similarities, maybe the fact that his background is not born and bred in Munster - maybe they could have replaced him but I'm struggling to think of a guy," he added.
