Cullen set to exit Munster

IT APPEARS Christian Cullen’s days as a Munster player are over.

For a second successive week, the All Black legend, who posted a record 46 tries in 58 tests between 1996 and 2002 for New Zealand, has been left out of a shortened match-day squad ahead of tomorrow’s Magners League clash against Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park (kick-off 7.30pm).

Cullen, on a one-year rolling contract, has made just nine appearances, scoring one try in another injury-plagued season. His last appearance was against Scarlets in Munster’s 24-15 Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat.

Cullen was named in Munster’s extended 28-man squad for the Ospreys match in Swansea early last week but did not make the bench for the match, which Munster lost 20-12.

He was named in Munster’s extended squad earlier this week, but his absence from the match-day squad for a second successive match is a strong indication that Cullen will be leaving the province at the end of season.

Saracens coach, Alan Gaffney, who as Munster coach signed Cullen in 2003, is thought keen to sign the former All Black this summer.

Mossie Lawlor, who filled the full-back berth against the Ospreys, is certain to start in the same position for the visit of Munster’s Heineken Cup conquerors tomorrow.

Meanwhile Ronan O’Gara who came off the bench against Ospreys last weekend, is expected to start against the Scarlets. John Hayes and Mick O’Driscoll, who weren’t involved last week, are both expected to feature. Anthony Foley will captain Munster.

MUNSTER (squad v Scarlets): Backs (11): M Lawlor, B Carney, J Kelly, B Murphy, L Mafi, A Horgan, B O’Meara, T O’Leary, J Manning, E Hickey, R O’Gara. Forwards (12): M Horan, F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, F Sheahan, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, C Wyatt, M O’Driscoll, D Ryan, J Coughlan, J O’Sullivan, A Foley (capt).