Munster sign French prop Brugnaut on one-year deal

RUGBY NEWS:MUNSTER HAVE completed their squad for the coming season with the signing of French international prop Julien Brugnaut from Dax, subject to medical clearance. The 27-year-old prop, who previously played with Montpellier, won the first of his two international caps against Scotland in Febuary 2008 in the Six Nations at Murrayfield with the second following six days later as a replacement against Ireland at Stade de France.

At six foot and 19-and-a-half stone the Lille native will be a sizeable addition to the Munster squad in every respect. The French international travelled to Ireland to meet Munster officials before committing to the Irish province.

Brugnaut admitted: “I was immediately impressed with what I saw and heard. It is a very professional set-up. I am of course well aware of Munster and their great history in the Heineken Cup and I am very happy to be joining them and looking forward to the challenge.”

Brugnaut has agreed a one-year deal with an option for a second season. He has returned home but is expected to join up with the Munster squad next week.

Leicester Tigers have signed Ireland international outhalf Jeremy Staunton. The 28-year-old is one of four new signings announced by Tigers as they prepare to begin the defence of their Guinness Premiership crown in September.

Staunton has previously played in the Guinness Premiership with Harlequins, London Irish and London Wasps, as well as collecting five senior caps.

Ireland’s Geordan Murphy will captain the Tigers for the new season taking over from Martin Corry (retired). The fullback did lead the Tigers for a portion of last season when Corry was injured including their Premiership final success and their defeat by Leinster in the Heineken Cup final.

Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill said: “Geordan has been at Tigers for more than a decade and has been a fantastic servant to this club. The way we want to play and the way we want to improve our game is with ball in hand and Geordan epitomises that. He has the respect of the rest of the squad and I wanted someone who is integral to Leicester Tigers, which he is.”

Murphy was delighted by the accolade: “It is a great honour to lead out such a great club, but there is so much experience and so much quality around the playing squad that it allows you to get on with your own game and trust the rest of the guys to do the same.”