Hayes set to make his curtain call against Connacht

JOHN HAYES will play his finalmatch for Munster in Monday’s RaboDirect Pro12 game against Connacht at Thomond Park on St Stephen’s Day.

It will be an emotional moment for Hayes and the Munster supporters, given he first pulled on the red jersey in August, 1997. Since then he has represented the province on 211 occasions and was a key member of the successful Heineken Cup teams in 2006 and 2008.

Hayes had been expected to retire at the end of last season but was lured back to cover for the World Cup players. With the tight head prop position nailed down by BJ Botha, his appearances were few and far between, although he did come in for the closing stages of the recent away win over the Scarlets when the Springbok went off with cramp.