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D'Arce

D'Arcy future remains undecided as Kirchner stays with Leinster

The 35-year-old is out of contract this summer.

GORDON D’ARCY’S PLAYING future remains undecided, as Leinster confirmed that South African back Zane Kirchner will be staying on into next season.

IrelandÕs Gordon D'Arcy D'Arcy remains in contract talks for next season. Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland

The province this afternoon announced the re-contracting of 27 of their players ahead of the 2015/16 campaign – as well as four new additions – with D’Arcy’s name absent from that list.

The 35-year-old’s current IRFU deal expires this summer, and discussions around whether or not he will be handed a new contract beyond that point remain in progress.

D’Arcy has indicated that he feels more than capable of continuing his playing career, though the final call on a new contract may rest in the hands of the IRFU’s key decision makers.

The centre’s absence from Leinster’s list of contract renewals does not signal an intention to retire in the summer. D’Arcy still very much harbours ambitions of playing for Ireland in the Rugby World Cup, and any involvement in that competition would entail a contract extension until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Kirchner has agreed to extend his contract beyond the end of the current season, after there were doubts as to whether the fullback/wing would remain in Ireland following the conclusion of the current campaign.

Zane Kirchner is held up just short of the try line by Anthony Watson and George Ford Kirchner went close to scoring for Leinster last weekend. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

The Springbok originally signed for the province from the Bulls on a two-year deal in 2013.

His extension means one of Leinster’s NIQ [non-Irish qualified] spots remains occupied and therefore allows the province only one further NIQ signing before next season.

34-year-old Eoin Reddan and 35-year-old Isaac Boss will also be staying on with Leinster, but the likes of Aaron Dundon, Sean McCarthy and Brendan Macken are absent from the list of renewals.

Leinster contract renewals ahead of 2015/16 season:

Isaac Boss
Bryan Byrne
Ed Byrne
Jack Conan
Sean Cronin
Tom Denton
Darragh Fanning
Luke Fitzgerald
Rob Kearney
Zane Kirchner
Dan Leavy
Cathal Marsh
Fergus McFadden
Luke McGrath
Mick McGrath
Kevin McLaughlin
Martin Moore
Jordi Murphy
Colm O’Shea
Eoin Reddan
Noel Reid
Mike Ross
Dominic Ryan
Richardt Strauss
Devin Toner
James Tracy
Josh Van Der Flier

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