The IRFU may have left it a little later than normal this season, but the announcement of four contract extensions for senior Irish players, Connacht’s Bundee Aki and the Leinster trio of Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier further nails down one of the planning pieces for Irish coach Andy Farrell.
All four players were part of last year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia with Farrell and his players now looking towards the inaugural Nations Championship this summer and autumn, and the Rugby World Cup next year.
Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, both scrumhalf Gibson-Park, who is 34, and 35-year-old centre Aki had been linked with moves abroad with both French and English clubs mentioned.
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Although there were no details, an optimistic Leinster coach Leo Cullen said on Monday that he was “hopeful” that the Irish winger would also be joining that list of players.
Lowe won’t be seen for some time yet as he recovers from a groin injury sustained beating England by a record 42-21 score at Twickenham in February.
Aki has signed a one-year contract extension, while Van der Flier and Gibson-Park have agreed two-year deals until the end of the 2027/28 season.
Hooker Sheehan has committed his future to Ireland and Leinster for a further three years until the end of the 2028/29 campaign.
The announcement comes off the back of Ireland’s Triple Crown success at Aviva Stadium last weekend as Farrell’s side finished second in the Six Nations.
“All four players are a pleasure to work with and have played key roles throughout the recent men’s Six Nations,” said Farrell. “In congratulating Bundee, Jamison, Dan and Josh on their new contracts, we look forward to seeing them progress in Ireland in the months and years to come.”
Aki has long been a hugely influential figure in Ireland’s midfield, winning 69 Test caps and most recently coming off the bench in Saturday’s win over Scotland after a serving a suspension earlier in the tournament.
Van der Flier, the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, won his 79th cap last weekend, underlining his worth at openside flanker, while Gibson-Park, although only starting his Irish career at 28, won his 50th Ireland cap against Wales earlier this month.
Sheehan scored his 15th Six Nations try for Ireland in the final match of this year’s championship against Scotland.
“You cannot underestimate the outstanding contributions of these four players to Irish rugby over many years,” added Farrell. “That they see their futures here is a significant boost, which I have no doubt will delight Ireland supporters around the world. They are all key leaders who put their bodies on the line time and time again in reaching the highest standards on the field.”
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