Ireland & Leinster Fullback Rob Kearney Set To Continue Playing Career Abroad
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Not done yet.
Ireland and Leinster fullback Rob Kearney is keen to continue his playing career abroad with his contract at the eastern province set to expire in July.
Kearney played a key role under Joe Schmidt at the World Cup in Japan and has been a mainstay at fullback with Ireland for over a decade, He toured with the British and Irish Lions on two occasions and has earned 95 caps for his country.
But he was left out of Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad this year and has been used mainly as a replacement for Leinster. Kearney recently turned 34 and it looks likely he will not receive an extension from the IRFU with Leinster and Ireland both well-stocked going forward.
Kearney though wants to continue playing and in an interview with Gerry Thornley for the Irish Times, admitted he has held discussions.
But with the current pandemic bringing the world to a halt, Kearney now has to play the waiting game to see if he can get a contract in time for next season.
“I did want to go on playing next season and I still do,” Kearney said.
“Physically I’m still in very good shape and I still love the game. I have been looking for some other options outside of Ireland but obviously now, during this crisis, everything is off the table and it’s a massive waiting game.
“But at the same time, I’ve been blessed to have had the career that I’ve had. I’ve gotten so much from the game, it doesn’t owe me anything. So if it did have to come to a halt at the end of July, obviously it would be an unbelievably disappointing way to have to finish up, but I think I would still be very content with what the game has given me over the last 15 years.”
No doubt if he could stay fit his experience alone would see him as a decent signing for an English or French club. You can check out his interview in full here.
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