Hugo Keenan commits to Ireland and Leinster

Hugo Keenan has signed a contract extension with the Irish Rugby Football Union and Leinster until 2028.

The deal will take the 29-year-old beyond the World Cup in Australia next year, which will be the second World Cup of his career.

The new deal is the latest turn in a mixed year for the full-back, who is yet to play Test rugby since scoring the series-winning try for the British & Irish Lions against Australia in August. A combination of hip surgery and a thumb injury have kept Keenan sidelined and prevented him from adding to his 46 caps.

The Irishman is back to full fitness, however, and started in Leinster’s recent 29-25 victory over Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final in Dublin.

Keenan will switch his attention back to the United Rugby Championship this week, as fourth-place Leinster host the third-place Lions in the penultimate round of the regular season in pursuit of defending their title.

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“Hugo has established himself as one of the leading full-backs in the world game and we are excited that he has committed his future to Irish Rugby,” IRFU performance director David Humphreys said after the deal.

“A talented and committed athlete, Hugo has proven himself consistently for club and country for many years and I have no doubt that he will continue to progress in the seasons to come.”

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell added: “Hugo is a top-class performer and I am really pleased that he is continuing his journey in Ireland. He has been a model of consistency since his debut in 2020 and I believe that the best is yet to come as he continues to set the highest standards on and off the field of play.”