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Ireland and Lions flanker CJ Stander announces retirement at end of season

Munster and Ireland international CJ Stander has announced he will retire from rugby at the end of the 2021 season, making the announcement on Twitter this morning.

Stander, who was born in South Africa but qualified for Irish residency in 2015, has made 50 appearances for Ireland, scoring 12 tries whilst also featuring for the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

He has also been a key figure for Munster, racking up 150 appearances and was their player of the year during the 2019/20 season making it his third inside six seasons. The flanker has also been a notorious try scorer and has scored 210 points for Munster.

The honorary Irishman stated he will be available for Munster until June 27 when his contract expires and will play for Ireland until the end of the mid-year test window.

Making his statement on Twitter, Stander said, ““All professional sports people are told “you will know when the time is right to hang up your boots”. It’s a sentiment one cannot fully comprehend until that day arrives. For me, that time has come, and I hereby publicly announce my retirement from all forms of rugby.”

Ireland have one remaining 6 Nations fixture against England which takes place this Saturday whilst Munster are currently top of the Pro 14 Conference B table who Stander will join back up with after the 6 Nations tournament comes to a conclusion.

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