Munster have appointed their recently retired fullback Shaun Payne as team manager. The 35-year-old South African, whose professional playing career ended last month, is held in high regard by the 2006 Heineken European Cup champions and their supporters.
Payne will be Munster's full-time team manager, with Jerry Holland remaining on in an advisory capacity.
Munster have also confirmed that the 31-year-old New Zealander Rua Tipoki will join them if he obtains medical clearance and a work permit.
Coach Declan Kidney has named an extended squad of 35 for next season because upwards of 10 of his players are likely to be involved with Ireland at the World Cup until October. Munster newcomers will include Niall Ronan, Paul Warwick and Kieran Lewis.
South Africa have named an understrength squad for their two Tri-Nations tests in Australia and New Zealand next month. The England-based prop Cobus Visagie is recalled while three uncapped players are named in a 28-man squad announced yesterday by South Africa rugby.
The du Plessis brothers Bismarck (hooker) and Jannie (prop) and outhalf Peter Grant are the uncapped players.
Flanker Luke Watson, who was added to the first squad of the season by the South Africa Rugby Union president, Regan Hoskins, was also named in the party.
Injured fullback Chris Latham and rugby league converts Ryan Cross and Berrick Barnes have been included in an expanded 32-man Australia squad for next weekend's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Melbourne.
SOUTH AFRICA (squad) Backs: T Chavhanga, M Claassens, B Conradie, B Fortuin, P Grant, D Hougaard, W Julies, W Murray, W Olivier, B Paulse, R Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Forwards: J Ackermann, E Andrews, G Botha, D Carstens, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, H Lobberts, J Muller, B Skinstad, A van den Berg, W van Heerden, AJ Venter, C Visagie, P Wannenburg, L Watson.
AUSTRALIA (squad): A Ashley-Cooper, B Barnes, A Baxter, R Blake, S Cordingley, M Chisholm, R Cross, M Dunning, R Elsom, A Freier, M Gerrard, M Giteau, G Gregan, S Hoiles, J Horwill, J Huxley, S Larkham, C Latham, D Lyons, H McMeniman, D Mitchell, S Moore, S Mortlock (co-captain), W Palu, B Robinson, N Sharpe, G Shepherdson, S Staniforth, L Tuqiri, D Vickerman, P Waugh (co-captain).
