Irish Rugby : Provincial Rugby : News : Munster Building New-Look Squad For 2012/13 Season

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne has issued a statement following confirmation of Ronan O'Gara's decision to retire from playing professional rugby.

IRFU provincial and national age grade coaches - Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s - and IRFU elite player development staff from the four provinces gathered recently to review their experiences, discuss challenges and align closer to ensure the development of more effective elite players across the IRFU Elite Player Pathway.

The IRFU today announced a new one-year contract with Brian O'Driscoll which will see him remain available to play for Ireland and Leinster until the end of June 2014.

All the newcomers, with the exception of CJ Stander, were in attendance as were Damien Varley, Niall Ronan, Ian Nagle, Johne Murphy, Felix Jones and Paul O'Connell although their activity was confined to the gym as they each recover from injury, while BJ Botha is not due to rejoin the the squad until next week.

Stander, who is expected over once his involvement in the Currie Cup with the Blus Bulls is complete, will be in Super 15 action for the Bulls against the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

However, after ten straight starts, he makes way for Jacques Potgeiter who made his Springbok debut last weekend against England.

MUNSTER 2012/13 SQUAD (47 Players):

Props: BJ Botha, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Marcus Horan, Wian du Preez, Christy Condon, Alan Cotter.

Hookers: Damien Varley, Mike Sherry, Sean Henry.

Locks: Donnacha Ryan, Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Ian Nagle, Dave Foley.

Back rowers: Paddy Butler, Sean Dougall, Billy Holland, Peter O'Mahony, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Tommy O'Donnell, Dave O'Callaghan, CJ Stander, Barry O'Mahony.

Half-backs: Peter Stringer, Conor Murray, Duncan Williams, Cathal Sheridan, Ronan O'Gara, Ian Keatley.

Centres/Wingers: Casey Laulala, James Downey, Danny Barnes, Scott Deasy, JJ Hanrahan, Troy Smith, Ivan Dineen, Keith Earls, Doug Howlett, Simon Zebo, Johne Murphy.

Full-backs: Felix Jones, Denis Hurley, Sean Scanlon, Luke O'Dea.