Munster: Ian Keatley and Jaco Taute to stay; Francis Saili to go
Munster Rugby have announced that Ian Keatley and Jaco Taute have both signed contract extensions to keep them at the province, while while a number of others are set to depart, including Donnacha Ryan and Francis Saili.
Keatley has been with the province since September 2011 and in October became the second Munster player ever to score over 1000 points. The 30-year-old, who also has five Irish caps, has signed up to the province for a further two years.
Player news | Signings for @iankeatley & @JacoTaute while we bid farewell to a number of players at end of season https://t.co/Ee1h2Emuff pic.twitter.com/hEMV1cx1CQ
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 19, 2017
Springbok Jaco Taute has signed a two-year deal that will see him remain with Munster until June 2019. The 26-year-old centre initially arrived on a loan deal in September and has proven an important addition to the team and popular with fans in the 24 appearances he has made since then.
Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said: “With Ian and Jaco we are retaining the services of two quality players. Both highly experienced and versatile, they not only add value on field but are also good guys to have in our environment.”
As previously confirmed, Munster’s most capped player of the current squad, Donnacha Ryan, will leave at the end of the season, making the move to Top 14 side Racing 92.
The 33-year-old has made 165 appearances since making his debut against Ospreys in September 2004. The Tipperary native enjoyed Heineken Cup and Magners League success over a 13-year-career in the red jersey and was awarded Munster’s Player of the Year in 2012.
Wishing Donnacha, Francis, Peter and John all the best with their moves & congrats to Cian & Mark on retirement from professional rugby. 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/LdL9yDpXxS
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 19, 2017
Centre Francis Saili, prop Peter McCabe and lock John Madigan are also set to depart at the end of the season with the trio all moving on to other clubs, while centre Cian Bohane and lock Mark Chisholm have both confirmed they are to retire from professional rugby.
Saili has made 38 appearances over two seasons and scored 8 tries, while Bohane most recently captained Munster A in their British and Irish Cup success, with Chisholm, McCabe and Madigan all playing their part in the winning campaign.
