New deals.

Leinster Rugby has this morning confirmed 28 new contracts for the 2020/21 season, while also confirming their list of departees.

However, as a result of the 2019/20 season being postponed over the ongoing crisis, two players have been retained beyond their original contract end-date of June 30th with Ireland internationals Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden both set to stay on temporarily.

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen welcomed the announcement and also acknowledged the unique circumstances facing a number of players.

“We are delighted to be able to confirm the list of 28 contracts today and in particular with so many of them coming through the clubs and the schools of Leinster. A huge amount of work goes in to developing players at all levels of the game so it’s incredibly pleasing for us to have five players promoted directly from our Academy.

“It is always a hugely special day for them, their families and their clubs and schools so I would like to congratulate Ryan (Baird), Harry (Byrne), Jack (Dunne), Tommy (O’Brien) and Dan (Sheehan).

“We are also delighted that Fergus McFadden and Rob Kearney have agreed to stay on for the completion of the 2019/20 Season. Both players have given so much to the team over the course of their careers as “one club” men and hopefully, they can both contribute strongly to the team for the games that we still hope to play out.

“This has also been a challenging time for many players who are leaving clubs as there has been so much uncertainty but we would like to wish all the players leaving Leinster the very best in what is next in their respective careers.

“To Bryan, Barry and Joe from the Senior squad and to Jack, Gavin, Roman and Oisín from the Academy we would like to thank you all for your contribution and effort that you have given the club.

“Our focus now is making sure our training environment is as good and safe as it can be as we look to prepare for the completion of our Guinness PRO14 campaign and of course our eagerly-awaited showdown against Saracens in the Quarter-Final of the Heineken Champions Cup.’

Included in the list of 28 is 14 Irish internationals with 301 caps between them, while 23 of the 28 players have come through the Leinster Rugby Academy system.

Leinster Rugby – New Senior Contracts:

1. Vakh Abdaladze
2. Ryan Baird
3. Michael Bent
4. Adam Byrne
5. Ed Byrne
6. Harry Byrne
7. Ross Byrne
8. Will Connors
9. Seán Cronin
10. Peter Dooley
11. Caelan Doris
12. Jack Dunne
13. Scott Fardy
14. Jordan Larmour
15. Dan Leavy
16. James Lowe
17. Ross Molony
18. Josh Murphy
19. Tommy O’Brien
20. Rory O’Loughlin
21. Rowan Osborne
22. Andrew Porter
23. Rhys Ruddock
24. James Ryan
25. Dan Sheehan
26. Devin Toner
27. James Tracy
28. Josh van der Flier

Academy Players Promoted to Senior Squad:

1. Ryan Baird
2. Harry Byrne
3. Jack Dunne
4. Tommy O’Brien
5. Dan Sheehan

Leinster Rugby – Departees:

1. Jack Aungier
2. Bryan Byrne
3. Barry Daly
4. Oisín Dowling
5. Gavin Mullin
6. Roman Salanoa
7. Joe Tomane
8. Rob Kearney (following completion of 2019/20 season)
9. Fergus McFadden (following completion of 2019/20 season)