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Jack Conan and Adam Byrne among 13 Leinster contract renewals

Jack Conan and promising young talent Adam Byrne are among 13 contract renewals announced by Lein...



Jack Conan and Adam Byrne amon...
Rugby

Jack Conan and Adam Byrne among 13 Leinster contract renewals

Jack Conan and promising young talent Adam Byrne are among 13 contract renewals announced by Leinster Rugby on Wednesday morning. 

While central contracts for Jamie Heaslip and Devin Toner had already been announced, the province today said they would be ensuring the future of a number of up and coming players to add to the signings of  Australian international Scott Fardy and Maori All Blacks winger James Lowe.

"Only a few weeks ago we were able to confirm the promotion of seven players from within our own Academy to the Senior squad," Leo Cullen told Leinster Rugby's official website earlier today.

"The news today of the retention of a further 13 players to the Leinster roster is a huge boost as we look to build towards next season.

"You need to have a strong squad capable of challenging on two fronts.

"We have used 51 players so far this season in the Guinness PRO12 and the Champions Cup and with 14 players capped during Ireland’s 6 Nations campaign it is vitally important that we have that level of competition and experience across the squad at all times to try to maintain consistency in both competitions."

Lenister booked their place in the semi-final of the Champions Cup last weekend with victory over Wasps and currently lead the PRO12, two points clear of fellow Irish province, Munster.

He added: "We are trying to play a brand of rugby that excites people and we want to give those supporters in the RDS or in the Aviva Stadium something to really get behind.

"The signings of Scott and James as well as the other lads that we have promoted to the Senior ranks and that we have retained is, I hope, a sign of where we want to bring Leinster next season and into the future."

Byrne has been in wonderful form so far this season, scoring nine tries and has played a full 80 minutes on 10 occasions.

The retention of younger, more inexperienced players has come with the bonus that Stuart Lancaster and the backroom staff look set to remain in place next season. 

"You try learn what you can from these guys," Cullen told Off The Ball last month.

"Stuart, when his name came up and he came over, we spent a good bit of time together. 

"You really get a sense that this is the kind of guy who can really add value to what you're trying to do here at the moment and over time. He's been fantastic since he's come in."

Leinster Contract Renewals

Adam Byrne (20 Leinster Caps (LC), 11 Tries (T)
Bryan Byrne, (18 LC, 3 T)
Ed Byrne (7 LC, 1 T)
Jack Conan (1 Ireland Cap (IC), 47 LC, 14 T)
Barry Daly (9 LC, 3 T)
Tom Daly (7 LC, 2 T)
Jamie Heaslip (95 IC, 6 British & Irish Lions Caps, 229 LC, 38 T)
Mick Kearney (18 LC, 0 T)
Dan Leavy (2 IC, 34 LC, 7 T)
Luke McGrath (2 IC, 71 LC, 20 T)
Jordi Murphy (17 IC, 86 LC, 15 T)
Ian Nagle (8 LC, 0 T)
Noel Reid (1 IC, 79 LC, 12 T)
Richardt Strauss (17 IC, 143 LC, 11 T)
Devin Toner (47 IC, 194 LC, 3 T)

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