Munster lock in more stars

Johne Murphy, Duncan Williams, John Ryan, Marcus Horan and Sean Scanlon are the latest of the current Munster squad who have signed contract extensions.

Murphy, Williams and prop Ryan have penned two-year deals, while Horan and Scanlon have agreed one-year extensions.

In addition, JJ Hanrahan (centre), Dave O'Callaghan (loose forward), Luke O'Dea (wing), Cathal Sheridan (scrumhalf) and Alan Cotter (prop) progress from academy to development contracts.

The latest announcements come at the end of a busy week that started with news that Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan, Denis Hurley, Billy Holland and Tommy O'Donnell had all agreed two year deals.

Two others whose contracts were due for renewal, Wian du Preez, Doug Howlett, had last month agreed new deals.

A further interesting addition to the Munster squad is former Ulster Academy, Ulster Ravens and Ireland Under-19 loose forward Sean Dougal who joins from Rotherham Titans on a one-year contract.

The 22-year-old played against Munster in the semifinal of the B&I Cup in April 2010, but subsequently suffered a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined till this season when he's been a regular - and captain in the absence of team captain Sam Dickinson - in the Titans side.