SHANE HORGAN has committed to Leinster until 2010. A product of the youth system, Horgan made his senior debut against Ulster in 1998 and has been an integral part of the provincial set-up since, first as a centre but primarily on the right wing. He made a try-scoring debut for Ireland against Scotland in the 2000 Six Nations championship.

The 29-year-old cited the desire to achieve further honours with Leinster and the return of Alan Gaffney as key factors in his decision to re-sign.

"Leinster has been a happy home for me throughout my career," he said. "While I have had some incredible memories playing in the blue jersey, the desire to win further honours at Leinster was the deciding factor for me to agree my contract extension. The decision of Michael (Cheika, head coach) to remain with Leinster and the return of Alan Gaffney along with Kurt McQuilkin is an indication of how Leinster want to continue to build for the future and I am delighted to remain a part of that."

The IRFU have rightly pointed to the retention of Horgan as an illustration of the continued success of their policy of centrally contracting players.

"This model remains the determined strategy of the IRFU and has served us well in the past and still remains our best course for the future," said chief executive Philip Browne.

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson added: "I am sure that I speak on behalf of the entire Leinster support when I say how delighted we are that he has followed the likes of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy in re-signing for the province for the coming years."

Although troubled by injuries these past two seasons, Horgan remains an important figure in the Leinster and Ireland set-ups.

"He has a knack of scoring important tries in key games," said Cheika, "a point illustrated by his contribution to the victories at home to the Leicester Tigers and away to the Ospreys, Munster and, more recently, Connacht.

"I am confident that his best years are ahead of him."

SHANE HORGAN FACTFILE

Age:29 (July 18th, 1978)

Born:Drogheda

Club:Boyne RFC

Height:1.93 m

Weight: 104 kgs

Lions caps: 2 (both as replacements v New Zealand in 2005)

Ireland:61 (20 tries)

Ireland A:6

Ireland Under-21: 7

Ireland Youths:5

Leinster:133 (50 tries, one drop goal)

Heineken Cup: 63 (23 tries, one drop goal)

Magners/Celtic League: 54 (22 tries)