MUNSTER have announced the signing of All Blacks centre Sam Tuitupou from Worcester for next season, writes Hugh Farrelly.

With Springbok centre Jean de Villiers returning to South Africa, 28-year-old Tuitupou has been brought in to bolster midfield resources. Powerfully built, with a low centre of gravity at 5'9", Tuitupou won nine caps for New Zealand between 2004 and 2006 and captained his country at U-19 and U-21 levels.

The former Auckland Blues centre joins Leicester wing Johne Murphy as Munster's back-line additions for next season and the province have also confirmed that flanker Tommy O'Donnell, prop Dave Ryan and scrum-half Duncan Williams have been upgraded from development to full professional contracts.

In addition, academy players Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Stephen Archer, Scott Deasy, Peter O'Mahony and Danny Barnes have been promoted to full development contracts.

Training contracted player Declan Cusack, who started at out-half in the recent win over Connacht, has also been promoted to a full development contract.

Irish Independent