LEINSTER HAVE CONFIRMED the signing of second row Ian Nagle ahead of next season, while also announcing contract renewals for 17 players.
Ireland internationals Dave Kearney, Mike Ross, Jack McGrath, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Michael Bent and Tadhg Furlong are among the renewals, as is captain Isa Nacewa.
Promising young players Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Ross Molony, Cathal Marsh, Tom Daly and Adam Byrne have also penned new contracts.
It is not Leinster policy to announce the duration or type of contracts for their players. The province has also confirmed that today’s list of renewals is not a definitive one and there may be further updates in the coming weeks.
Most notable among the absentees from Leinster’s list of players to have renewed expiring contracts are Cian Healy, Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss.
Healy has had an approach from Premiership outfit Worcester, but it is understood that he remains in negotiations with the IRFU and has not signed for the English club.
Former Munster man Nagle took a break from professional rugby in recent seasons, but recently returned to the game on a short-term deal with London Irish until the end of the current campaign.
“It is well documented at this stage that Ian took a sabbatical from rugby at the end of the 2013/14 season to pursue educational opportunities most recently at Cambridge University,” said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen.
“He has however made a return to rugby with London Irish and was involved last weekend in their win against Worcester. He is also relatively young at 27 and I think he will add even more experience and competition to an already competitive second row roster.”
The signing of Nagle and the 17 contract renewals come alongside the confirmation that Robbie Henshaw will join Leinster next season on a three-year contract, meaning the eastern province’s squad for 2016/17 is taking shape.
By and large we are very happy with where we are at,” said Cullen.
It is fantastic to see so many talented players commit their futures to Leinster Rugby and I think the supporters will be hugely excited as we continue to build our squad for the 2016/17 season and beyond.”
Leinster contract renewals for 2016/17:
Michael Bent
Adam Byrne
Tom Daly
Peter Dooley
Tadhg Furlong
Dave Kearney
Cathal Marsh
Mike McCarthy
Jack McGrath
Ross Molony
Isa Nacewa
Sean O’Brien
Garry Ringrose
Mike Ross
Rhys Ruddock
James Tracy
Josh van der Flier
Ian Nagel must have the most persuasive agent in the history of pro sports.
He’s a qualified doctor out of Oxford I believe. Be good for HIA purposes.
@ Keiron, You may be thinking of someone else… Nagle studied Commerce in Cork and is currently doing an MBA in Cambridge. Obviously a bright lad and shouldnt have too many problems securing a career after he hangs up his boots….
My bad. I thought the man was studying medicine. Fair play to him either way.
A lot of great news there. A promising squad for 2016
Does allowing contracts run to within 4 months of expiring not put the IRFU in a very weak position? Just seems like this period every year is dominated by transfer speculation as a result of expiring contracts.
It’s probably largely to do with a cash flow. End of tax year is January. So its probably after that’s sorted that they start putting money into new contacts.
Great that the young lads like Molony, Ringrose, Marsh, Byrne, Tracy, VDF etc have signed new deals but good also to see experienced, important players like Jack Mc Grath, Ruddock, Mc Carthy, Isa, Ross commit their futures to Leinster.
What’s going on with Mick Kearney?
Has had a toe injury, needed surgery, back in October. Was due back in Feb but hasn’t made a come back yet. Think there was talk a week or so back that he’s nearly back to full fitness. “One more week!”
Useless team full softies and zero top class prospects of their own no good players in the under 20′s. Total Schmidt bias. Go Cardiff blues
Robbie has signed…..GET OVER IT.
No good players in u20′s?? I’m sure the Irish u20 captain James Ryan would have a thing or two to say about that, a player widely touted as the next paul O’Connell
Adrian Hennessy , there will NEVER be another Paul o Connell the same as the will never be another Brian o Driscoll
Declan, that’s a ridiculous statement. Ian Henderson is a much better athlete than what POC ever was. POC has leadership qualities that are top drawer which made him so important. The likes of Ringrose could easily surpass BOD. He’s a much bigger and quicker man than BOD and has the skills to match.
@HawksBlue, You can only sharpen your pitch fork so much… Put it down, cool off and move on….
@Gary I think BOD has already said something to that effect about Gary already….
Gary , well then we shall wait and see will ring rose surpass BOD easily as you put it , we can already see the loss of Paul o Connell to Ireland
@Declan, BOD has already singled out Ringrose to be a big star and he wasn’t the first: Tony Ward has been raving about him since his school boy days. He has shown flashes of brilliance this season and playing along side Henshaw can only help him get better…. Like it or lump it but having two of the best young players playing together week in week out can only be a good thing for Ireland Just look at D’Arcy and BOD!
Begrudgingly, I recognise the deficiencies if Ferg this season. I think he’s a great guy but seriously lacking form. I still vehemently reject what people have been saying about Dave. I think he’s a brilliant player and I’m delighted he’s staying with Leinster.
So many contracts .. So now who is still at the negotiating table ?
Healy is for sure , but what about Dom Ryan , Mc Fadden , Noel Reid ? Or do they have more season a left ?
I know that Ryan signed a long extensions season or two ago so he’ll be around for while yet, not sure about the others.
Is Marsh all we have to work with with Johnny wrapped in bubble wrap until ireland camp and no Madigan. Surely there’s massive hole in the squad list right there?
Not at all Ross Byrne is a class act and Isa can play at 10 too
Don’t forget Cathal Marsh too, although I agree Ross Byrne looks like he could become a top level 10. There are at least two very promising 10′s coming behind Sexton, but there’s also the possibility of a “Gopperth” style” player who might come in for a season or two as a stop gap between getting the young players up to speed for senior pro rugby.
Delighted with all the signings . Ross will be playing until his 40′s at this rate which I don’t think anyone will have a problem with . The academy is absolute excellent. Really showing schools system is working well as is the underage system. Brilliant to renew players like O’Brien & McGrath who are in demand abroad.
I assume Redden & Boss are retiring or moving abroad and Leinster are very sceptical about handing another 3 year contract to a very injury prone Healy. This situation could end very similar to Marty Moore’s.
Ian Nagle is a decent signing but highly overrated. I don’t expect him in the XV with the likes of Toner , McCarthy , Moloney & Triggs all around – and perhaps Mick Kearney who we’ve heard no word on .