Staunton let go by Harlequins

Jeremy Staunton has been released by NEC Harlequins despite having a year to run on his contract. The recently relegated Zurich Premiership club have retained many of their first-team squad including other Irishmen Gavin Duffy, Simon Keogh and Mel Deane.

Staunton will not be returning to Munster as the province completed their recruitment for next season and hope to announce a full panel before the weekend.

Duffy, who tours Japan with Ireland next month, had a get-out clause in the event of relegation and Connacht did make an offer to allow him return to the province. However, the appointment of Dean Richards as coach, Andre Vos and Will Greenwood pledging their loyalty to the club and the announcement of a new six-figure deal by sponsors NEC appear to have tipped the scales.

Meanwhile, Nigel Melville, a potential candidate for the vacant Leinster director of rugby position, has parted company with Zurich Premiership club Gloucester. The Englishman has been named in connection with the Leinster job.

The Leinster Branch confirmed they hope to announce a successor to Declan Kidney before the end of next week.

Melville parted ways with Gloucester after missing out on a place in the Heineken European Cup by losing 24-16 to Saracens at Twickenham last Saturday in a playoff. This immediately makes the Leinster job appealing to Melville but he is not considered a lead runner.