Manning and Cronin opt to leave Munster

Munster have announced the departure of two young players from next season as Ireland-qualified outhalf Jeremy Manning returns to New Zealand to take up a NPC contract with North Harbour and Shannon hooker Seán Cronin joins Connacht.

"It had always been my intention to return home at some stage and the offer from North Harbour probably hastened that decision," said Manning. "It was a great opportunity to play at a different level and one I felt I just couldn't let go."

The 22-year-old's four-year experiment with Irish rugby cannot be described as a success. Groomed as Ronan O'Gara's replacement at both provincial and national level, Munster sought another opinion this season by signing Australian outhalf Paul Warwick from Connacht.

Manning did, however, play 32 competitive matches and was on the bench for the 2006 Heineken European Cup final win over Biarritz in Cardiff.

"I've enjoyed my time with Munster, appreciate all that I've learned. It certainly wasn't an easy decision to decide not to accept a further contract. But I didn't want to be looking back in years to come and wonder how I might have fared in NPC."

Cronin was also offered a contract extension. The former Ireland under-21 hooker turned down a development deal to sign full terms with Connacht. He has been the fourth-choice hooker behind Jerry Flannery, Frankie Sheahan and Denis Fogarty and so was largely confined to the All-Ireland league. Michael Essex will now fill the development contract.

Flannery has returned to training following a groin strain but wasn't deemed ready for tomorrow's Magners League match against Cardiff in the Arms Park (kick-off 5.30pm).

Ireland replacements against Scotland - Paul O'Connell, Tony Buckley and Peter Stringer - have been included alongside Alan Quinlan and Darragh Hurley, who've spent this week in the Ireland camp. Keith Earls has also been training with Ireland but misses out on selection.

Munster are currently third in the league, eight points adrift of leaders Leinster but with a game in hand.

MUNSTER:S Payne, B Carney, I Dowling, D Howlett, K Lewis, L Mafi, P Warwick, J Manning, T O'Leary, P Stringer, F Pucciariello, T Buckley, Darragh Hurley, F Sheahan, D Fogarty, P O'Connell, D Ryan, M Melbourne, A Quinlan, N Ronan, J Coughlan, T O'Donnell, J O'Sullivan, A Foley.