Munster confirm Warwick to move at end of season

NEWS ROUND-UP:MUNSTER HAVE confirmed utility player Paul Warwick will be leaving at the end of the season. A statement from Munster Rugby says the province is unable to match what is being offered to the Australian by other European clubs.

Initial reports claim Warwick is moving to Parisian club Stade Francais, where former Leinster coach Michael Cheika moved to at the end of last season, although Munster could not confirm this.

“It’s understood that the 29-year-old, one of Munster’s non- Irish eligible players, has attracted the interest of several European clubs who have offered terms that Munster are unable to match,” said the statement.

“We felt the need to address the recent speculation about my future by confirming my intention to move. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here with Munster and hope I can contribute in helping the squad achieve the goals we set for ourselves at the start of the season” said Warwick.

Munster coach Tony McGahan noted Warwick’s ability to play at fullback and at outhalf.

“We are of course disappointed that Paul will be leaving us at the end of the season. He has been a quality player who significantly contributed at both fullback and fly-half over the past four seasons. We understand the reasons for his decision and he leaves with our best wishes both professionally and personally.”

Warwick joined Munster at the start of the 2007/2008 season and made his debut against the US Eagles in Chicago. He won his 80th cap against Ospreys last Saturday.

But at the beginning of 2009, it was reported that London Irish had captured his signature and signed him on a three-year contract that would have kept him in the English Premiership until 2012.

Munster, however, subsequently re-signed him. It was reported that he was unhappy with the one-year contract offered for this season.

Munster face Connacht on St Stephen’s day as part of the series of New Year’s derby matches and go into the match looking for something that can change their fortunes in the Magners League now that they are out of Europe’s Amlin Challenge Cup after defeat to Harlequins at the weekend. Coach Eric Elwood is facing a number of injury concerns but won’t know the final toll until later in the week.

Among the walking wounded are Gavin Duffy, Johnny O’Connor, Michael Swift and their huge New Zealand prom Rodney Ah You, who can play both loosehead and tighthead positions. He is trying to recover from an Achilles problem. Bret Wilkinson and captain John Muldoon are definitely out.

Muldoon suffered another injury blow after breaking his arm in last Friday’s defeat to Harlequins.

The 28-year-old Portumna native suffered his first break in the summer during Ireland’s game against New Zealand and missed Connacht’s opening games of the Magners League but has been ever present in the backrow since his return against Cavalieri Prato in October.

Subsequent scans have revealed another fracture for the talismanic number eight. While the injury has ruled Muldoon out of this weekend’s clash with Munster the full extent of the injury will not be know until further tests have been carried out.

Despite the weekend loss, Elwood hopes Munster’s challenge and the buzz around the Sportsground for the match will stir Connacht towards their best form after a run of disappointments.

“Ideally we’d like to have a win or two going into the derby matches. But there is no doubt that the lads are going to be up for this game. It’s a derby match. It’s against Munster. It’s at home. It will be a full house weather permitting,” said Elwood.

“These are the games guys love to play in. You’re up against your nearest and dearest. There’s no doubt the lads will respond.

“We would like to finish 2010 on a high and have the opportunity to do that. It won’t be easy by any means. Munster are on top of the table, playing very good rugby and still smarting from their defeat at the weekend.

“When you are playing a team like Munster and Leinster, you have got to take them on and beat them physically. You’d be foolish to think we are going to run around Munster and try to stretch them in certain positions. It is going to be a very physical confrontation. ”