The Munster Branch have appointed former international Jerry Holland to succeed Brian O'Brien as manager of the provincial squad. Holland will join the management team of coach Declan Kidney and assistant coach Niall O'Donovan, who combined last year to take the team to the final of the European Cup where they were defeated by Northampton.

Holland was previously involved with Munster as coach for three years, followed by a two-year stint as manager. During that time the team won the Interprovincial championship and reached the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

He also managed the Ireland A squad in the 1998-99 season and assisted the Munster team management last season prior to the European Cup final, following the appointment of O'Brien as manager to the Irish squad for their summer tour to Canada, Argentina and USA.

It was also announced that Munster will play three pre-season fixtures in August. The first match against England's Gloucester, who are preparing for their first season in the European Cup and have ex-All Black Ian Jones in their squad, takes place on August 12th at Thomond Park.

The squad will then travel to play Glasgow Caledonians on Saturday, 19th August before completing their preparations against Italian side L'Aquilla at Musgrave Park on Wednesday, August 23rd. L'Aquilla are also in the European Cup for the first time and are coached by former Kiwi Mike Brewer, who previously played with Blackrock.

The Ireland Schools' side continued on their winning way with a 84-0 win over Victoria Schools at Scotch College in Melbourne on Saturday. Ireland, showing eight changes from the side that beat Western Australia in the tour opener, ran in 14 tries, seven of which were converted.

The Irish party travel to Canberra to play Australian Capital Territory Schools on Wednesday.