Keith Earls and Conor Murray sign new three-year IRFU deals

Keith Earls has rejected Saracens' advances to sign a new three-year contact with Munster in a clear boost to Ireland's battle to keep top talents on home soil.

Scrumhalf Conor Murray has completed a three-year dual contract with Munster and the IRFU as expected.

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt rubbished suggestions of a mass player drain in the wake of Ian Madigan moving to Bordeaux this summer and Marty Moore heading to Wasps.

And now the head coach’s bullish words have been backed up by the IRFU and Munster tying down two prized assets to new long-term deals.

"We are delighted that Keith has signed a new IRFU contract which will see him remain a Munster player until the end of the 2019 season," said IRFU performance director David Nucifora.

“We are delighted that Conor has signed a new IRFU contract too. Conor is a hugely important, admired and respected player and makes a real impact in every game he plays for Munster and Ireland.

“Keith is a gifted footballer and has shown great commitment throughout his rugby career for both Munster and Ireland

“The IRFU are committed to retaining players like Keith and we know that Munster and Ireland supporters will be delighted with today’s news.”

Ireland boss Schmidt had been at pains to reject outside insinuation that a host of top talents could now take up more lucrative contracts overseas and Ireland remain candid in their determination to prioritise the Test careers of those stars plying their trade on home soil.

Schmidt admitted Madigan's Bordeaux switch could dampen his international ambitions, though prop Moore only misses the Six Nations due to a hamstring injury.

“There’s only Ian Madigan in the squad currently who has signed abroad,” said Schmidt.

"Ian and I had a long discussion about it. When I arrived at Leinster Ian was learning French, so there was an uneasy feeling at that stage.

"I know he wants to play at 10, and I think he'll go into a head-to-head duel with Lionel Beauxis and fair play to him if he gets the better of that.

"He won't be out of our thoughts, but Paddy Jackson came off the bench in several of the Six Nations matches last year and Ian Keatley started against Italy last year. So there is competition for Ian, and there's always a risk in him going away."