Murphy, a former Ireland Schools and Under 21 international, and current captain of UCC, has won 10 Munster caps and made his Celtic League debut for the side in August 2001.

Lima, joins Munster on a short-term contract for the remainder of the season. He Samoa's all-time leading try scorer, has been capped 50 times in a career that has taken him to Auckland Blues, Otago Highlanders and Stade Francais.

He will will link up with the Munster squad in the next two weeks, his signing subject to medical clearance on arrival and him receiving the requisite work permit.

Speaking of the nominations Munster coach Alan Gaffney said, I am very happy with the quality of player we have been able to nominate. Frank Murphy is a player who I believe has a lot to offer and he fully deserves this opportunity. Brian Lima is of course one of the great names in world rugby and I think Munster supporters will have seen exactly what he is capable of in that north v south game in Twickenham last weekend.