British and Irish Lions

Cullen's three-year spell at Thomond Park has been blighted by a succession of shoulder, hamstring, calf and ankle injuries and he missed out on last season's victorious Heineken Cup run.

But he has done enough when fit to convince Munster he still has a future with the European champions.

The 30-year-old former All Black, who remains New Zealand's most prolific try scorer with 46 in 58 Tests, had been approached by Wellington and Toulon.

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald said: "Christian will be staying with us after agreeing terms for a one-year contract."

Three former British & Irish Lions will line-up against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday as the Barbarians warm-up for their showdown with the 2013 tourists in Hong Kong next week.

Radike Samo, one of only two players still playing top level rugby in Australia who placed against the 2001 British & Irish Lions, will return to top flight action with Queensland Reds against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday.

British & Irish Lions hookers Dylan Hartley and Tom Youngs will fight out their own private duel in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday and then become team mates for the next six weeks a day later.