Munster retain Cullen's services

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald confirmed yesterday Christian Cullen has been retained on a one-year contract, thus ruling out a move abroad. The bulging purse of Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal had seemed set to entice the former All Blacks fullback to follow Rob Henderson to France.

Henderson appeared ready to retire from professional rugby and even accepted the position of Garryowen director of rugby until the chance to form a centre partnership at Toulon with Tana Umaga arose. The former New Zealand captain recently signed a one-year deal with the Division Two club worth about 360,000, while other internationally recognised players like Yann Delaigue, Gonzalo Quesada and Dan Luger have also put pen to paper.

"Christian Cullen will be staying with Munster having agreed terms for a one-year contact renewal," said Fitzgerald.

Retaining Cullen is a leap of faith by the Heineken European Cup champions considering the litany of injuries he has suffered in his three-year stint with Munster. He was set to play a central part in last season's European Cup final but after recovering from a shoulder operation he limped out of a Celtic League match two weeks before the Cardiff showdown against Biarritz.

Meanwhile, Connacht have signed the former London Irish hooker Adrian Flavin, a member of the 1998 Irish under-19 World Cup-winning squad, and South African prop Brett Wilkinson.