Lions lock Paul O’Connell has signed a new deal with the IRFU that will keep him at Munster until 2009.

O’Connell is the biggest name in Irish rugby behind skipper Brian O’Driscoll and has accumulated 31 caps, two of them as captain, since making his debut in 2002.

The 26-year-old appeared in all three Lions Tests against New Zealand last summer and has been in sparkling form for Ireland during this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

A shoulder injury ruled him out of last weekend’s 31-5 victory over Wales but he is expected to be fit for the crunch showdown with Scotland in eight days time.

An accomplished line-out operator, O’Connell has developed into one of the best second rows in the world, with his aggressive style earning comparisons with Martin Johnson.

The new contract ends the interest of several foreign clubs hoping to prise him away from Thomond Park and the powerful forward explained his ties with Munster were too strong to leave.

"It wasn’t a difficult decision. When you consider the players Munster have, consider their work ethic and ambition, I don’t think you would find anything comparable at another club," he said.

"I’m very happy with the coaching set-up. I’m delighted with the deal and want to get on with the job of helping Munster and Ireland achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves."

O’Connell’s decision to stay with Munster is a boost for the IRFU who have a policy of seeking to tie Ireland’s Test players to central contracts

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said O’Connell’s decision represented another key contract in Ireland’s international and provincial set-up.

"His standing in the game continues to grow every season and coming on the back of other recent senior players renewing their contracts, this is good news for Munster and Ireland," he said.

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald believes O’Connell’s new deal has given the province a timely lift with their Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown against Perpignan less than a month away.

"We are really pleased that a player of Paul’s stature has committed himself to Munster for the next few years," he said.

"It’s tremendous news for us and a great boost coming at a time when we face into the latter stages of the Celtic League and Heineken Cup."