Leinster have announced 23 new contracts, with Cian Healy signing a 3 year deal with the province. Other Irish internationals signing new deals include Mike Ross, Fergus McFadden, Devin Toner, Rob Kearney, Richardt Strauss and Luke Fitzgerald.
Healy has been playing with Leinster since the final game of the 2006/07 season, making 109 appearances for the side so far.
The announcements come as a timely boost for Leinster, as the side will have to face into next season without the service of Isa Nacewa and Johnny Sexton. The integral duo have announced they won't be at Leinster next year, with Nacewa retiring from the game, while Sexton makes a mvoe to Racing Metro..
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said, in a statement released earlier today:
"Ahead of a few big weeks for us in both the PRO12 and the Amlin Challenge Cup, it’s great to have confirmation that so many of our current squad are staying with us, along with a few new players that will add further value to what we believe is a really competitive squad.
"The players have done a great job in recent years and they’re committed to maintaining that in the seasons to come but, in the short term, our focus will be on Ulster this weekend and London Wasps the week after."
Complete list of new Leinster contracts:
- 3 Years: Cian Healy (national contract), Michael McCarthy
- 2 Years: John Cooney, Sean Cronin, Luke Fitzgerald, Jimmy Gopperth, Rob Kearney (national contract), Brendan Macken, Ben Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Eoin O’Malley, Mike Ross (national contract), Quinn Roux, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner
- 1 Year: Leo Cullen, Darren Hudson, Martin Moore, Jack O’Connell, Noel Reid
Image: Cian Healy ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
