MUNSTER and Ireland legend Donncha O’Callaghan has joined Worcester Warriors and admitted he could not pass up an opportunity to prolong his playing career.

The 36-year-old lock moves to Sixways after 17 seasons and 268 competitive appearances with the Irish province.

O’Callaghan, who represented Ireland 94 times, has penned a two-year deal with Dean Ryan’s men.

He featured in all three of Munster’s pre-season games with his farewell appearance on home soil in Cork last Friday against London Irish.

O’Callaghan was contracted to the province until June 2016 but Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union accepted the player’s request for an early release.

O’Callaghan said: “It has been a huge decision for me to leave Munster, one that I have thought long and hard about.

"The opportunity to prolong my career is one that I couldn’t pass up and I’m extremely grateful to Munster, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Worcester for providing me with this opportunity.

“Playing for both my home province and country has been a dream come true for me and my family, I have loved every moment of it.

"I leave with a full heart and unbelievable memories.”

O’Callaghan added: “I’m hungry for my new challenge. The developments and structures in place at Warriors are very exciting but also the quality of management and the players at the club are something I cannot wait to be a part of.

“I watched the Bristol game where Warriors turned it around in the last seven minutes at the end of last season, and that was really impressive.

“Now I’m looking to win the respect of the management, players and most importantly, the supporters, and I will be giving my absolute all.”

The Cork native won two Heineken Cups, a Celtic League, two Magners League titles and a Celtic Cup with Munster.

He also won the Six Nations Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009, captained the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 2009 and featured in three consecutive World Cups.

The ex-Munster man played for the Barbarians in their win over England in 2014 when Ryan was head coach.

Off the field, O’Callaghan is an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland.

Warriors chief Ryan added: “The opportunity to bring someone in with such inter - national and European experience is a real coup for the club.

“It’s important to get a balance of proven and experienced performers and young developing talent integrated within the squad."

Meanwhile, Worcester’s supporters attending Saturday's home match against the Barbarians will be able to buy the new 2015/16 home shirt from the Sixways Store for the first time.

Warriors will be showing the England against Ireland game (pre-recorded) after the Barbarians match at 5pm.