Gaffney hails Cullen signing

Munster boss Alan Gaffney today hailed the signing of New Zealand superstar Christian Cullen as arguably the biggest in European rugby history.

Full-back Cullen has been overlooked by All Blacks coach John Mitchell for the 2003 World Cup campaign.

After scoring a remarkable 48 tries in 58 Tests, Cullen’s international career would appear to be over.

But the All Blacks’ loss is Munster’s gain, and he is expected to join his new team-mates in mid-October, once his National Provincial Championship commitments with Wellington are completed.

And Gaffney is relishing Cullen’s arrival, hailing him as “probably the most important and biggest signing ever made by any team in European rugby history”.

Cullen will miss Munster’s early Celtic League programme, but should be in prime form by early December, when the 2003/04 Heineken Cup kicks off.

“His signing is just a fantastic thing not just for Munster, but for all rugby supporters in the northern hemisphere,” Gaffney said. “Quite simply, he is an icon of the world game.

“He will bring so many things to Munster – a world-class individual game, he will enable us to expand our overall game, and will certainly give us additional options.

“I am also positive that the games of players like Jeremy (Staunton) and Mossie (Lawlor) will develop even more with him around.

“The interest his signing has generated has been phenomenal, and I just hope the grounds we play at can accommodate everyone who seems to want to come and see him play. We are really looking forward to his arrival.”

Munster are the reigning Celtic League champions but, with next season’s tournament running through the World Cup and 2004 RBS 6 Nations Championship, squad strength will be fully tested.

“The Celtic League is a major competition, and we would love to win the title again,” Gaffney added.

“But it is going to be much harder this time, with more games and those heavy international commitments. We used 37 players last season, and I guess it will be much the same this time, but I am confident in the strength of our squad.

“All the teams will be affected in varying degrees by the World Cup and Six Nations, and it means that both ourselves and Leinster will be sadly depleted when we meet in Dublin in the first round next month.

“That said, it will be a real contest, and I believe it is a great way to open up the tournament with the 2002 champions meeting the 2003 champions.”