No regrets for CJ Stander after taking early retirement

BACK AT HOME: Former Munster and Ireland player CJ Stander acknowledges the crowd at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

It was with a broad, knowing smile that CJ Stander greeted Graham Rowntree’s joke that he had agreed to pull on a Munster jersey one more time.

Stander was sat comfortably at his table at Páirc Uí Chaoimh as head coach Rowntree joked from on stage at Munster Rugby’s Gala dinner this week that the former Ireland and Lions back-rower had agreed to play in the following night’s game against South Africa A.