“You’d swear he grew up in Moyross”

Munster fans were given a second early Christmas present this afternoon with news that back-row CJ Stander has signed on with the province for another three years, ending all speculation surrounding his future.

The South African-born star has been linked with a number of French clubs over the last few weeks, including Vern Cotter’s Montpellier. But in the end has committed himself to Munster and Ireland for the foreseeable future.

Having struggled when he initially arrived, Stander has gone to become an integral member of both Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad and Munster. The news comes on the back of skipper Peter O’Mahony also signing a new deal.

Teammate Keith Earls had his say on the news today, and his comments prove Stander realistically was never going anywhere.

“I just got a text as I was coming in there. No, it’s brilliant news, himself and Pete [signing up] now this week. It’s a great Christmas present for all of us.

“CJ has been massive since he came over. He struggled at the start as he came over on his own but then his wife, Jean-Marie, came over. They found it hard to settle in, at the start, in that first year.

“But you’d swear he grew up in Moyross, with me, now. He’s a pure Munster man.”