THE IRFU HAS announced that Brian O’Driscoll has signed a one-year contract extension with Leinster and Ireland.
The new deal will see the talismanic centre, and his country’s top try scorer, remain available to play for Ireland and Leinster until the end of June 2014.
He said, “I want to thank the IRFU and Leinster for allowing me the time to think about my future and discuss my options with my family.
“The support my family and the Irish and Leinster fans have shown me over the past few months, and indeed years, has been phenomenal and I am now very much looking forward to one more year playing with Ireland and Leinster.”
Announcing the contract extension, the union’s chief executive Philip Browne, said: “The IRFU is delighted that Brian has chosen to sign a new contract, ensuring he remains available to Ireland and Leinster for one more year.
Brian is a truly exceptional talent and there is no doubt that this new contract will boost our game, at every level, in the coming year. We wish him, his Leinster and indeed his Lions teammates all the very best in their forthcoming games and look forward to working with Brian in the 2013/14 season.”
Leinster [and soon to be Ireland] coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s great that Brian has agreed to continue playing. He’s an inspirational player, not only on the pitch, but also on the training ground.
“He’s played well again this season and other players continue to learn from him. I know that every squad of which he is a part will profit from his qualities both as a rugby player and a person.”
What do you make of the news?
Fair play to him, he owes his Club and Country NOTHING. Hopefully he can get his first Lions series win, first win against the All Blacks in November and maybe another Grandslam before he bows out. It’s the least the man deserves. LEGEND.
You little dixie- best news I have had all week..Sad but true!
Must cancel the bbq party .dicko is staying for another yr .. still isn’t gonna win anything next yr
hope he comes through it in one piece
The man has taken some punishment down the years, but he’s as hard as nails.. Should never have been stripped of the Ireland captaincy in my opinion, pure inspirational. Delighted he’s staying on great news for Irish rugby.
Brilliant news
Sweet!
Ah good stuff, he’s great to watch it has to be said…
Legend
Not as sweet as you Brian. Xxx
Niall I think you’re on the wrong type of website
Awkward!!
That’ll bring him up to 2014 and, y’know, it’ll only be 12 months from the World Cup in England which could be our best shot given it’s so close geographically! He owes his country nothing.
The All Blacks in the autumn – IS FÉIDIR LINN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope it’s a successful one and full of silverware. Dude deserves more trophies.
Terrific news
Great news!
BOD is an astronaut
I see what you did there!
nope!
That made my morning. Hopefully a good 12 months lie in store for him and Ireland.
What a man, In my opinion Ireland’s best sportman of his generation, Hope he is injury free for the remainder of his career.
Woohoo!!!
In BOD we trust
Captain. Nothing else.
F#@king legend!!!!
Great news for Irish Rugby!!! Delighted…
GET IN!
I had a feeling he wasn’t finished yet so delighted he is staying. Lets hope Leinster win tomorrow and Ireland do much better next year. It’s exciting times ahead :)
I wish him luck but I fear it is pushing his luck. I hope he comes through the year without any damage and then gives up for good. He has given a great deal for Ireland.
Luck doesn’t come into the equation with this man! He’s a highly skilled beast of a man!
What is up with the weird arm muscle.
are ya well jeal.
The pic must be a few years old, I remember seeing it a few years ago, looks like a torn bicep.
Apart from the initial pain it doesn’t really impair you too much, the tricep takes up most of the slack. Just look wierd cos the muscle gathers at the top, or bottom, depending onthe tear.
That was my diagnosis at the time (think it was grand slam year)but I never heard of him going for an operation to have it rectified.
Either way the mans a legend…
Interesting diagnosis, I looked it up and it does seem to fit.
Legend……Agreed
Happened to me many years ago but the muscle bunched at the top, looked wierd but not as wierd as that, prob cos it was a smaller muscle!!
I remember saying it to loads of people at the time, it was during a big tournament or leading up to a big tourney, could’ve got it looked after after the world cup when he went in with the shoulder prob?
Spirit lifting news this morning …..go on the BOD….. Legend
Was a great player is done now. A legend of irish rugby. but Was shocking all 2013. He owes rugby nothing but he’s clearly past it. As seen again last weekend and a terrible 6 nations, barring 40 mins against Wales…. Reminds The of the sex pistols album ‘flogging a dead horse’
Never really liked the guy on a personal level but this is good news for Irish Rugby. I hope it works out for him and that when he does decide to go that it’s on his terms.
Not sure what you mean by not liking him on a personal level…
I met him once and he seems pretty sound, lots of time for his fans. After I spoke to him he was getting his picture taken with a star-struck young kid.
He’s not as tall as you’d expect, maybe that’s why you don’t like him? :-)
Best news today :-):-):-):-):-)
Wonderfull news this morning despite the weather,i hope hes not pushing his luck,with the injuries hes had most players would now be long gone,but as a mere mortal i hope he never retires.
Brilliant if now they could go 3-0 in autumn
Sweet, it’s a great day.. BOD ya legend!!
Delighted for him:) Let’s hope Ryan Gigs will share a few tips with him!!
Such a brilliant, dedicated athlete. Believe in BOD!
Just a shame he can’t play against Stade Français. We have quite a young team facing Parisse and his pals. Joe must be holding a few back for the Ulster game.
Anyhoo, I wish BOD nothing but success in blue, green and of course red this summer.
Those few above who say he is “past it” don’t obviously watch much rugby. There is still nobody better in the game at the breakdown and securing turnover ball.
One more crack at the All Blacks…..would be a great send off for BOD and a great start for Schmidt! Roll on the autumn