Leinster secure futures of key players

TRANSFER NEWS:FOLLOWING QUICKLY on from their passage into the quarter-finals stage of the Heineken Cup, Leinster have secured the signatures of last week's man of the match against Saracens, Seán O'Brien, backrow colleague Shane Jennings, secondrow Devin Toner, centre and wing Fergus McFadden and frontrow Jack McGrath for the next few years.

O’Brien and Jennings have agreed new three-year deals with the province, while fellow international Toner has signed a two-year contract along with McFadden and McGrath.

It ties up several of Leinster’s key players for the foreseeable future and should give coach Joe Schmidt some comfort as he plans ahead after this season. Indeed Schmidt hinted last week that news of new signings was imminent following reports there was interest in O’Brien’s signature from overseas.

International Jennings has been capped nine times and was part of Leinster’s Heineken Cup-winning squad in 2009, while the dynamic O’Brien has four caps since his Irish debut in November 2009.

Castleknock College secondrow Toner has three caps, which he earned in the 2010 November series of internationals, while McGrath earns a senior contract and McFadden is rewarded for increasingly strong performances in recent months.

“We are delighted that all five players have committed their long-term futures to the province,” said Schmidt.

“That both Shane and Seán have, at separate intervals, led the team in Leo Cullen’s absence speaks volumes about their leadership roles that both assume within our panel.

“Both Fergus and Devin have displayed great consistency in their displays this season, while Jack is an exciting frontrow talent, who started off in the academy and has progressed through to the senior panel.

“All five players came through the Leinster Academy and it is vital for the future growth of both Leinster and Irish rugby that we retain our leading indigenous talent.”

Jennings, who spent some years at Leicester with captain Leo Cullen as well as Johne Murphy, Geordan Murphy and Ian Humphreys, will be 32 when this latest contact expires, while O’Brien is still just 23, McFadden 24, McGrath 21 and Toner 25.

“While it was flattering to have interest from overseas, I desperately want to be part of the Leinster story for the foreseeable futures,” said O’Brien.

“I believe there is something very special about this club,” added O’Brien.

Leinster will name their team to face Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup at the Stade Olympique Yves du Manoir on Friday night (kick-off 8.0pm) tomorrow.