International and club teammates, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip and Jonathan Sexton, have all agreed new contracts which will see them continue their careers with Leinster and Ireland.
O'Driscoll will continue an outstanding career that began in Ireland in 1999 by remaining with Leinster until the end of the 2012-13 season. Sexton will also stay with Leinster having agreed a new contract up until June 2013 with Heaslip, who has played No.8 for Ireland, Leinster and the British & Irish Lions, now contracted up until June 2014.
O'Driscoll said: "Playing in Ireland with Leinster for my entire career has been all the more enjoyable knowing that my rugby goals I have achieved to date were with an organisation that has really grown at the same time as me over the last 10 years. Leinster and Irish rugby has progressed so far during that time that winning Magners Leagues, the Heineken Cup and Grand Slams was infinitely more satisfying knowing that it was done playing in Ireland with my home province."
"While I have been in Leinster over 11 years, it is great to see the next generation coming through and I am a little jealous as they have the chance to experience even more success then I have had. I am looking forward to the start of the 6 Nations, and after that I can focus on those other long term goals with Ireland and Leinster over the next two years."
Heaslip said: "I am pleased to have agreed a new contract and to commit myself to Leinster for a further three years. I have been fortunate to enjoy some great success already in my career and I want to achieve more with Leinster and Ireland in the years ahead. There is tremendous competition for places at both provincial and national level which augurs well for the future. Now that I am going to be part of that I just want to concentrate on getting over my injury and getting back on the pitch for Ireland as soon as possible."
Sexton said: "There is something special building in Leinster at the moment and as well as the involvement with Ireland in a World Cup year, that was the main influence on my decision. It has been great to get my contract finalised ahead of what is going to be a pretty exciting and challenging period for the Ireland squad and now I just want to focus on playing the best rugby that I can and hopefully contributing to further success with Ireland and Leinster."
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said: "It's a great boost to finally secure the contract extensions of Brian, Jamie and Jonny. They have been key players in the province's recent success and they offer genuine leadership, talent and experience as we strive toward further success. Being of genuine Leinster stock it's great to have three such pivotal players join with a number of other players who have recently extended their contracts, reaffirming that loyalty amongst Irish players can still outweigh lucrative overseas offers. For the province, our sponsors and supporters it offers great stability going forward."
