Varley, Barnes and Archer pen new deals

MUNSTER continue to build for the future with the announcement yesterday that youngsters Stephen Archer and Danny Barnes were amongst a group of three players to commit to the province until 2013.

Damien Varley, who has progressed so well following his return to Munster from Wasps last season, is the third player to sign on the dotted line, but the elevation of 23 year-old Archer and 21 year-old Barnes to full contracts is an indication that the development structure appears to be working.

There are high hopes indeed for tight head prop Archer who is being given more and more game time and, although Barnes remains relatively inexperienced at senior level, it appears the Kiwi/Kerry youngster is also headed in the right direction.