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Thursday

14:00

International

Ireland loosehead Andrew Porter pens new IRFU deal

By Ian Cameron

28 days ago

Jasper Wiese of South Africa confronts Andrew Porter of Ireland during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Andrew Porter has signed a new two-year contract with the IRFU, extending his commitment to Ireland and Leinster Rugby until July 2027.

The 28-year-old loosehead prop made his international debut against the USA in 2017 and has earned 70 caps for Ireland. He has been part of three Guinness Men’s Six Nations title-winning campaigns and featured at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups.

Porter played in all 11 of Ireland’s Tests in 2024, cementing his position as a central figure in Andy Farrell’s squad. His extension comes fresh on heels of fellow prop Tadhg Furlong, who also signed until 2027. Unlike Furlong there had been little talk of Porter being courted by overseas clubs and his contract renewal was more or less a forgone conclusion.

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At club level, Porter has made 128 appearances for Leinster since his senior debut in September 2016. He has won four Pro12/Pro14 titles, the European Champions Cup, and scored 18 tries for the Province.

“Playing in Ireland is something that I never take for granted and I am delighted to commit my future to my home Province Leinster and Ireland,” said Porter in an IRFU statement. “There is a huge amount of talent coming through the system at provincial and international levels and it is a privilege to work with such a talented group of coaches and players.

“I believe that the level of competition will drive us all on as we bid for success in the months and years to come and I am proud that I will have the chance to be a play in the Irish system for the next number of seasons.”

IRFU Performance Director, David Humphreys, added: “Andrew is an outstanding world-class talent and it is a huge statement of intent that he has committed his future to both Leinster and the IRFU. He has maintained a consistently high level of performance for club and country and his durability means that he is a key figure in Irish Rugby and will continue to be so for the next few seasons.

“We are delighted that Andrew has signed a new deal and look forward to him taking the next steps forward in his career in the years to come.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

Head high tackle 12 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Razor WANTS the 10 to fail. "Oh look I need Mounga". Going to be embarrassing when Mounga does what he has for 5 years at test level. Perhaps Razor will be gone by the time Mounga is available again.

41 Go to comments

Head high tackle 16 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Yes he does not seem to be loyal to his players in some ways yet shows a guy like Havili such undeserved loyalty its an issue. Fihaki and Bell were two others who did not deserve the loyalty shown to them.

Agree about him losing the locker room. Its worrying for me.

41 Go to comments

Head high tackle 21 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Id say another 70% season and Razor looses the fans and loose his job. If you look at 24s draw compared to 2025's he should win 11 from 13 minimum. Thats close to 85%. 3 v France, 1 v Aus, 2 v SA at home and the 4 home nations, 1 Aus test away plus whatever addons that come up with like a Fiji or a Japan test.

Could lose 1 v SA and the Ireland or perhaps Scotland tests and have a successful year but We should beat Ireland and Scotland and you would have to think Razor's priority would be to win 2 v SA at home.

When you think about how bad we played last year yet still should have won 1 SA test and could have easily beaten France had Dmac started in place of BB.

41 Go to comments

Head high tackle 33 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Razor wants Mounga so bad he is failing at doing anything with what he has. I actually question if he is genuinely trying to make the current lot fail. Look at his game plans ( if you can find one ) for his backs! Mounga has failed for 5 years. I for 1 do not want to see Mounga back yet. Mounga signed for 3 years. Do the contract and then come back and compete for his spot like everyone else has too. Razor had 14 tests to try out guys. 4 tests ( Fiji, Japan, Italy and 2nd Bledisloe ) to be able to try anything he wanted as they were garranteed wins or trophy secured. He chose not to.

How can Mounga be "In his Prime" when he is older than Dmac? Its a con from Razor and some are falling for it, but what if Razor kills everyone to get Mounga in the seat then Mounga and the ABs had better win. It will be Razors career on the line.

41 Go to comments

Head high tackle 44 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

I think the problems are wider than 10, and Im not sure they are personel based. More coaching based. Id love to see a proven backs coach come in. Maybe a Schmidt or a Smith but cant see those guys all that keen.

41 Go to comments

Head high tackle 45 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

He has no backs plan. Constantly changes their priorities, kicking, running plans and just confuses his 9 and 10. The way he dropped Dmac for the France game was nothing but hate from Razor. Why on earth would you go back to BB at 10 after the English test where Dmac had to save the match, was confusing. Razor failed in 2024 and if something isnt improved he will be gone in 2025.He desperately needs a backs coach. Get the Chiefs backs coach. That coach seems to be able to get a backline moving. Come to think about it plenty of NPC sides had better performing backlines. Taranaki were great, BOP, Tasman.... Plenty of backs coaches got their sides performing better than Razor got the ABs backs performing.

41 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 54 minutes ago

How law changes are speeding up the game - but the scrum lags behind

"the laws are not only for pro players but also amateurs and school players and by rushing scrums lives will be at stake." I think, Rug, that is a very good point to make. And especially at amateur and schools level. That is where the greatest danger lies. Serious mismatches will occur, and that is where one would judge(I don't have any stats. at hand) the serious injuries and deaths occur. Actually at International level I can only recall two serious prop injuries in the past 40/50 years. Ben Darwin and very recently Steven Kitshoff. At this level, props have years of conditioning and technique behind them. The contests are safer, or as safe as it is poosble to be.

47 Go to comments

GP 1 hour ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Good points. The on going selection of Reiko at 13 is a bug bear for many. Billy Proctor did not get much of a go. Levi Aumua for Tasman and Dallas McLeod for Canterbury had fine NPC's.The latter got in the NZ 15. They will push on with the Crusaders I believe. There are others. I agree Jordie Barrett will benefit with a season with Leinster. He has a lot to offer long term.

41 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

How law changes are speeding up the game - but the scrum lags behind

Regarding the scrum, I would pick up on your point made below, Nick. "....reffing the scrum is not easy at all, prob the single most difficult area in the books." Those of us who have coached the scrum, and /or refereed, would fully agree. And I have read on the pages of rugby forums for years now the opinion of experienced international props. "I could not detect exactly what happened in that particular scrum"

Ofc the problem is heightened when the referee has not played in the pack, has never been in a scrum. It is very clear, at least to me, that many top level referees don't begin to understand the mechanics of the scrum.

I feel the laws are adequate as they stand to a great extent. The problem, as I see it, is that referees right up to top level just don't apply them in the the letter of the law or in the spirit they should .

Any significant downward pressure by a prop to cause a collapse should be penalised. For example look at the scrum clip at 54.49 mins. It is the Leinster LH who forces downwards first, then the Munster TH "pancakes" I believe the Leinster prop is the offender there.

I also think that with most of the wheels in those clips, it was Leinster who are the offenders. That can be hard to pick though in many cases. Another point is the hooker standing up. That was being penalised 3/4 years ago. So Kellaher would have been penalised back then in that first clip at 04.17.

I think the directive should be given now to referees at all levels to stop giving penalties simply because a team is being moved backwards. And the directive should be "order the team with the ball to clear it, and within 3 secs."

It would help if a change was made to remove the option to take another scrum after a penalty is awarded. Must take a tap or a kick.

47 Go to comments

Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Agreed GC.

41 Go to comments

Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Like others, I was underwhelmed by Razor in his first year and couldn't understand why he persisted with players who were out of form. All of a sudden, "experience" was the holy grail for selections and up-and-comers mainly got a shot through injury. I had high hopes after Foster and was disappointed in the lack of clarity in game plan and selection. I think Hamish has articulated what a lot of AB supporters feel and count this year's disappointment due to nerves from the big stage and from "too many voices" in the coaching group. I don't think Razor gets another pass if 2025 is marked by the same reticence, confusion and conservatism.

41 Go to comments

Mitch 2 hours ago

How law changes are speeding up the game - but the scrum lags behind