Keatley established himself as the first-choice fly-half at Munster last season after the retirement of club legend Ronan O'Gara.
And with Rob Penney having departed as coach to be replaced by Anthony Foley, Munster approach the new GUINNESS PRO12 season with a fresh outlook.
And Keatley, now 27, is happy to lead from the front.
"I think last season was my introduction season considering ROG leaving. I always had great confidence in myself and what I was able to bring to the team, and I think the players have seen that as well," he said.
"They are looking to me a lot more now, and I think I stepped up as a leader last season. I think if it wasn't due to my injury, last season I would have kicked on even more. Yeah, the lads are looking up to me a lot and I'm looking forward to the new season."
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