O’Gara has new understudy as Warwick agrees terms with Munster
Warwick has made 65 appearances for Connacht since joining them from Manly in 2004 on a one-year deal.
His haul of 97 points made him the top scorer in the European Challenge Cup in his first season and led to a two-year contract extension. A former Australian U-21, his appearances for the Aussie sevens side, which he captained, have ruled him ineligible to play for Ireland.
Warwick has been Connacht’s top scorer for the past few seasons, with 239 points in 46 Celtic League games and 157 points in 19 appearances in the European Challenge Cup.
Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly said he was disappointed that Warwick was moving to Munster.
“He was very much part of our plans going forward, as he has been central to our side since we brought him over from Australia almost three years ago. We wish him well in his career but we are disappointed that he is leaving Connacht at this stage,” said Kelly.
Meanwhile, Alan Quinlan is named in Declan Kidney’s 22-man Munster A squad for today’s friendly with Leinster A at Portlaoise RFC (2pm).
Quinlan’s six week suspension ended on the last day of January following a stamping incident in the Heineken Cup pool match against Cardiff Blues in Thomond Park on December 16.
The Munster A squad includes players with numerous Magners League caps to their name. Chris Wyatt, James Coughlan and Jeremy Manning are all expected to guide the seven Munster Academy members named in the squad through today’s inter-pro.
They include Michael Essex and Seanie Cronin (both hookers), Tim Ryan (prop), Mark Melbourne (second row), Denis Hurley (full-back), Tom Gleeson (centre) and Conan Doyle (fly-half/centre).
Portuguese centre Diogo Mateus is also expected to figure in today’s fixture. Mateus, one of Kidney’s three overseas summer signings in 2006, has yet to earn a Munster cap but has shown promise at centre for UCC in the AIB League.
Kidney’s counterpart Michael Cheika has named a strong A side, which is captained by former Ireland scrum-half Guy Easterby. Easterby is partnered by Jonathon Sexton at half back.
Cheika has opted to start nine-times capped Ireland U21 Fionn Carr at full back, while 26-year-old Gary Brown, who has won four Heineken Cup caps and made 42 appearances in the Celtic League and Cup competitions, has the capabilities to cause Munster some anxious moments on the wing.
LEINSTER ‘A’: F Carr; S Grissing, M Berne, F McFadden, G Brown; J Sexton, G Easterby (capt); R McCormack, B Blaney, R Sweeney; D Toner, A Byrnes; R Leyden, D Laffan, D Dillon.
Replacements: J Lyne, H Vermaas, F Pala’amo, C Culleton, A Dunlop, J Power, A Dunne, C McNaughton
MUNSTER A — (Forwards) E McGovern, T Buckley, Tim Ryan, M Essex, S Cronin, S O’Connor, C Wyatt, M Melbourne, A Quinlan, T McGann, D Ryan, J Coughlan.
(Backs): M Lawlor, C Doyle, D Hurley, T Gleeson, D Mateus, C O’Boyle, E Hickey, J Manning, C Delooze.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
