O'Gara signs four-year extension

Ireland outhalf Ronan O'Gara has signed a four year contract extension with Munster and Ireland rugby.

The deal will keep the number 10, widely touted these days as the second best in the world, playing in Ireland until the end of the 2010/11 season, the same period committed to by Leinster and Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll.

"I am delighted to commit to Munster and Ireland for the next four years as I feel there is a special bond between this group of players," said O'Gara today.

"The support and loyalty of the Munster supporters was obviously a big factor in reaching my decision.  I really look forward to working towards further success with Munster and to Ireland reaching new goals on the international scene."

His signature is yet another fillip for Irish rugby and for the IRFU who have been aggressive in their attempts to keep key players plying their trade on these shores.

"We are delighted to quickly follow up the news of Brian O'Driscoll's commitment to Irish rugby by agreeing a similar contract to 2011 with Ronan O'Gara and also to reiterate that the on-going policy of the IRFU is to have all our leading players on home soil, competing with their respective Provincial teams and being available for the Ireland team," IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said.

"To that end, the IRFU is delighted that Ronan O'Gara has now committed himself to Munster and Ireland for the next four seasons."

O'Gara's Munster coach Declan Kidney welcomed the "great news" shortly after naming the outhalf as his captain for this weekend's Magners League clash with Connacht.