THE IRFU HAVE announced that Sean O’Brien has signed a contract and will remain at Leinster.
Full details are expected later today about the new deal which ends the recent speculation that the Carlow native was on the cusp of moving to France and joining Toulon.
The news is a major boost to Irish rugby after fears that the 27 year-old was about to move to join the Top 14 outfit.
O’Brien is currently sidelined through injury after damaging his shoulder while in action for Leinster last month in their RaboDirect Pro 12 tie against Ulster. He is set to miss this year’s Six Nations campaign as a result of that injury.
O’Brien has become a pivotal figure for Leinster in recent seasons and was part of the Lions squad that toured Australia last summer.