Leinster's Max Deegan has been awarded a senior contract ahead of next season, with the Irish province today confirming that eight players will join their academy from 1 July.

Deegan joins the previously promoted Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Nick McCarthy, Rory O'Loughlin, Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Peadar Timmins in the senior ranks.

The 20-year-old was named the 2016 World Rugby U20 Player of the Tournament and has made three appearances for Leinster.

"This is a hugely exciting time in the lives of these young professionals," said Leinster Rugby Academy Manager, Peter Smyth of the new academy recruits.

"Some of them are just after competing in a World Rugby Championship with the Ireland U20s which is a huge honour and they are all now looking forward to pre-season with Leinster up in UCD.

"They are all a credit to their schools, their clubs, their families and we very much look forward to welcoming them to UCD in July and to seeing where the journey takes us all. I would also like to give credit to the staff in the Leinster Sub-Academy and at the Academy who have played a massive part in the journey until now."

"I would like to wish the eight Academy graduates the very best of luck as they embark on their professional rugby careers."

Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Caelan Doris, Ciaran Frawley, Ronan Kelleher, Gavin Mullin, Tommy O'Brien and Hugh O'Sullivan were all confirmed to have been joining the Leinster's academy this summer.