Carr, Browne sign for Leinster

Rugby: Winger Fionn Carr and lock Damian Browne have both signed one-year deals with Leinster and will join up with their new team mates in the summer.

Former Leinster Academy graduate Carr returns to his home province having impressed for Connacht. The 25-year-old is the highest try scorer in the western province’s history (34 tries in 72 Magners League/Amlin Challenge Cup games) since his move from Leinster in 2008. The Newbridge winger has also represented Ireland at Schools, under-19, under-21 and ‘A’ levels.

Galway native Browne (30) is a former Ireland under-21, Connacht and Northampton Saints lock who joins from French Top 14 club Brive having featured in 30 games so far this season.

“We are delighted to announce the signings of two Irish qualified players in Damian and Fionn and we believe that both players have the potential to make an impression over the coming season,” said Joe Schmidt, Leinster head coach.

“I know how enthusiastic both players are about linking up this summer, in Fionn’s case his arrival will be a homecoming of sorts as he is a graduate from the Leinster Academy.

In a busy administrative period for the province, Leinster also confirmed hooker Richardt Strauss has extended his contract until 2013.

Dominic Ryan (21) has also signed a fresh two-year deal having featured in 22 games so far this season with the Gonzaga College graduate scoring four tries to date.

Centre Brendan Macken and outhalf Ian Madigan have extended their current deals, while half backs John Cooney and Ian McKinley have both also signed their first professional deals with the province.

“Richardt has been a key performer in the Leinster frontrow this year and his contract extension is a further boost in addition to other recent contract extensions,” added Schmidt.

“With the extensions and new contracts for the younger players it is important that we continue to retain our best underage talent from the Leinster Academy.”