Ace centre de Villiers ready to maul Lions before Munster move

JEAN de Villiers has apparently taken another step towards a new career with Munster, following the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

The big centre is ready to to take the Lions apart but then take up duty in Ireland to help Munster wrest the Heineken Cup trophy away from Leinster.

Speculation here is that de Villiers has made up his mind to move to Munster, having being wooed by a significant annual salary of close to €300,000.

The player, his representatives, and the South African Rugby Union were keeping a low profile yesterday in relation to reports the player has made his mind up; neither was there any confirmation, or otherwise, from the Munster camp other than to recognise previous reports that negotiations had taken place with the Springbok midfield destroyer.

The Irish province also hope to bring through a number of home-grown players in the next couple of seasons, but filling the midfield from within the country has caused problems for them in recent years.

Trevor Halstead provided the bulk to help them secure a first Heineken Cup title in 2006, while Tipoki, alongside Lifeimi Mafi, was hugely influential as Munster won a second title in 2008.

Meanwhile, Waikato Chiefs scrum-half Toby Morland will join Munster as cover while Tomás O’Leary recovers from the ankle injury that he sustained against the Scarlets in Musgrave Park in April.

The 26 year old has been signed on a short term five month contract that begins on July 1st.