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'There are goals I still want to achieve with both Leinster and Ireland next season'

By Online Editors
Ireland and Leinster full-back Rob Kearney (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Rob Kearney have agreed a contract extension that will see the full-back continue to play in Ireland until the end of the 2019/20 season.

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Kearney, who has won 90 caps to date for his country, made his international debut against Argentina in June 2007 and played a central role in two Grand Slam campaigns (2009 and 2018) as well as two further Six Nations Championship successes (2014 and 2015).

Kearney featured prominently in both victories over New Zealand (2016 and 2018) and played in all three Tests of the successful series win over Australia in the summer of 2018.

Since making his senior debut for Leinster in 2005 he has gone on to represent the province on 209 occasions winning four Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and five Celtic League/Guinness PRO rugby titles.

Kearney has represented Ireland at two Rugby World Cups (2011 and 2015) and is a two-time Lions tourist (2009 and 2013) playing in all three Tests on the South Africa tour.

IRFU performance director David Nucifora said: “Rob has contributed a huge amount to Irish rugby and has performed at a high level again this year for Ireland and Leinster.  We are delighted that he will continue his career in Ireland in what will be his 15th season as a senior pro.”

Kearney commented: “I’m feeling pretty good about where I am physically and mentally after a long season which has contained a few lows but also some massive highs.

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“There are goals I still want to achieve with both Leinster and Ireland next season but I will enjoy a couple of weeks off now before getting stuck into what will be a hugely exciting season for Irish rugby.”

The IRFU’s hardball tactics has left Kearney’s future in limbo amid speculation that would be forced to leave for a Top 14 club post-World Cup.

 

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A rumoured move to France is looking more and more likely for the Irish full-back after contract negotiations fell short of expectation… #IrishRugby #RobKearney #FrenchTop14 #RugbyGram

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With Joe Schmidt moving on from the national team after Japan, it appeared the status of a player who featured in just four of Ireland’s nine matches this season was in a serious state of flux that was also reflected at Leinster where there have been big games he has not been selected to start.

It was Sean O’Brien who let slip in a social media message some weeks ago that France was Kearney’s likely destination and the veteran’s inability to win the IRFU around to what he believes is his market value was further highlighted by his name being missing from Leinster’s lengthy midweek list of contract renewals for next season last week in the lead-up to the PRO14 final.

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Bull Shark 34 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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