War horse O’Callaghan seals new Munster deal

There may be a new wave sweeping through Munster but the province yesterday showed it also values experience by agreeing a new contract with veteran lock Donncha O’Callaghan.

As head coach Rob Penney challenged his developing squad to maintain Munster’s league title challenge in the absence of its Ireland Test contingent throughout November, 34-year-old O’Callaghan put pen to paper on a two-year provincial deal which will keep him with his home team until 2016 following the expiry of his IRFU contract at the end of the season.

The new terms mean O’Callaghan, who helped Munster retain top spot in the RaboDirect Pro12 in Saturday’s 12-6 victory over Ospreys, has the opportunity to surpass Ronan O’Gara’s Munster appearance record of 240 matches.