James Coughlan is to leave Munster this summer.

The province has announced that they have granted a request from the player for an early release from his contract, which was set to run for another 12 months.

Instead the 33-year-old is set to move abroad this summer after admitting that he was presented with an offer that he feels he has to take for his career and for the future of his young family.

Munster have already signed a readymade replacement after announcing the capture of Robin Copeland from the Cardiff Blues but chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald has admitted that it was still a difficult decision to allow the number 8 to leave.

Coughlan was only handed a Munster contract at the age of 26 after a series of impressive performances for Dolphin in the All Ireland League and went on to make 139 appearances for his native province but never managed to earn a full Ireland cap.