Donal Lenihan: CJ Stander owes Munster nothing as he always gave his all

It is so rare these days to see a player of his quality, delivering consistent performances for Munster and Ireland, deciding to call time on his career at the very top of his game

CJ Stander: Put his head down and worked hard after a difficult start to his Munster career, writes Donal Lenihan. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

What we hadn’t anticipated at any stage throughout this Six Nations was that Saturday’s encounter in Dublin could mark CJ Stander’s last on the international stage. It is so rare these days to see a player of his quality, delivering consistent performances for Munster and Ireland every time he plays, deciding to call time on his career at the very top of his game.

One can understand just how a player with such a deep affection for his homeland must hanker for a return to his roots at some stage. One can only assume that the lockdown and the associated pressures that has placed on all young families can only have heightened those feelings for Stander and his family.