Leinster announce 21 contract renewals

Leinster have confirmed that 21 players have signed new contracts to continue playing with the province next season and beyond and that Dudley born, former Ireland Under-18 international prop Sean McCarthy has agreed to join from Jersey.

For the first time there is no detail on the length of the respective contracts and this is at the behest of Leinster coach Matt O’Connor.

The Australian said: “We are delighted to be able to announce these contracts in preparation for the season ahead. It’s important for us as we continue to build that we have a group of players that are committed to the club and that share our vision for the future.

“While getting 22 contracts over the line is a huge undertaking the enthusiasm of the players was evident and we are very happy with where we are with our retention and recruitment drive.

“Sean McCarthy is a player that we have been keeping an eye on for a while now. He is a young and dynamic prop and we need to have quality players in this highly attritional position.

"Sean has been capped at underage level for Ireland and has performed well for Jersey in the RFU Championship and B&I Cup and we look forward to welcoming him to Leinster in the Summer." The 23 year old McCarthy previously played for Pertemps Bees and Worcester Warriors.

O’Connor continued: “We are also delighted that a number of our Academy players have stepped up and have been rewarded with either full or development contracts.

“We have seen over the last number of years that the Leinster Academy is developing top class players and men and once again a number of them played significant roles when called upon in the Pro12 this season.

“There are one or two other players that we have identified as recruitment targets and we hope to announce them in due course but we have a big game this weekend against Edinburgh and the small matter of a PRO12 semi-final thereafter so all our focus will be on those two games.”

One of those is Waratahs secondrow Kane Douglas with whom the province is discussing terms while they're searchfor a centre is proving more troublesome.

Leinster contract renewals: Michael Bent (prop), Isaac Boss (scrumhalf), Sam Coghlan-Murray (wing), Jack Conan (number eight), Gordon D'Arcy (centre), Tom Denton (secondrow), Aaron Dundon (hooker), Darragh Fanning (wing), Tadhg Furlong (tighthead prop), Jamie Heaslip (number eight), Shane Jennings (flanker), Dave Kearney (wing), Jack McGrath (loosehead prop), Luke McGrath (scrumhalf), Martin Moore (tighthead prop), Sean O'Brien (flanker/number eight), Colm O'Shea (centre), Eoin Reddan (scrumhalf), Noel Reid (centre), Rhys Ruddock (flanker/number eight), James Tracy (hooker).

New signing: Sean McCarthy (loosehead prop, Jersey RFC)