Thursday, February 3, 2011

O'Driscoll, Heaslip and Sexton agree new deals

Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip and Jonathan Sexton have all agreed new contracts with Leinster and Ireland.

Speculation had linked Heaslip and Sexton with moves to France, while the move clears up uncertainty about the future of Ireland captain O'Driscoll.

O'Driscoll's contract takes him to the end of the 2012-13 season, while Sexton's runs until June 2013. Heaslip is now contracted until June 2014.

As well as ending speculation about his retirement, O'Driscoll's new deal also puts the 32-year-old in the frame for the Lions Tour to Australia in 2013, 12 years after making his Lions debut against the same country.

According to O'Driscoll, the continuing development at Leinster was key to his decison.

He said; 'Playing in Ireland with Leinster for my entire career has been all the more enjoyable knowing that my rugby goals I have achieved to date were with an organisation that has really grown at the same time as me over the last ten years.


'Leinster and Irish Rugby has progressed so far during that time that winning Magners Leagues, Heineken Cups and Grand Slams was infinitely more satisfying knowing that it was done playing in Ireland with my home province.'

Heaslip, currently out of action with an ankle injury, also welcomed the new deal.
 He said: 'I am pleased to have agreed a new contract and to commit myself to Leinster for a further three years. I have been fortunate to enjoy some great success already in my career and I want to achieve more with Leinster and Ireland in the years ahead. There is tremendous competition for places at both provincial and national level which augurs well for the future.

'Now that I am going to be part of that I just want to concentrate on getting over my injury and getting back on the pitch for Ireland as soon as possible.'

Sexton, who was linked with a move to join up with former Leinster coach Michael Cheika at Stade Francias, said: 'here is something special building in Leinster at the moment and as well as the involvement with Ireland in a World Cup year, that was the main influence on my decision.
'It has been great to get my contract finalised ahead of what is going to be a pretty exciting and challenging period for the Ireland squad and now I just want to focus on playing the best rugby that I can and hopefully contributing to further success with Ireland and Leinster.'

The move is a major boost for the IRFU, with many high-profile players from England, Scotland and Wales making moves to France in recent months.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: 'This is exceptionally good news for Ireland and Leinster to be making the announcement that Brian, Jamie and Jonathan have agreed new contracts to continue to play here in Ireland.

'I believe that they have made the right choice for everybody concerned and would like to express my delight at each of them for making this commitment.'

National and provincial coaches Declan Kidney and Joe Schmidt were also pleased to have the contract discussions completed.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney said, 'I think that Brian, Jamie and Jonathan agreeing new contracts is great news as all three players have key roles to play for province and country.

'The benefit to the Irish team to have these players remaining here in Ireland cannot be understated and I am delighted to see that they have made this commitment.'

 
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt echoed that, saying: 'It's a great boost to finally secure the contract extensions of Brian, Jamie and Johnny. They have been key players in the province's recent success and they offer genuine leadership, talent and experience as we strive toward further success.

'Being of genuine Leinster stock it's great to have three such pivotal players join with a number of other players who have recently extended their contracts, reaffirming that loyalty amongst Irish players can still outweigh lucrative overseas offers. For the province, our sponsors and supporters it offers great stability going forward.'

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