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<\/p>\nThe IRFU is today delighted to announce contract extensions for Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier, securing the futures of four key players as Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell builds his squad towards Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2027.<\/p>\n
Connacht\u2019s Aki has signed a new one-year contract extension, Leinster duo van der Flier and Gibson-Park have put pen to paper on two-year deals up until the end of the 2027\/28 season and Sheehan has committed his future to Ireland and Leinster for a further three years until the end of the 2028\/29 campaign.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s announcement comes off the back of Ireland\u2019s Triple Crown success at Aviva Stadium last weekend as Farrell\u2019s side finished second in the Guinness Men\u2019s Six Nations and the commitment of four experienced players \u2013 all of whom were part of last year\u2019s British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia \u2013 is a major boost for Ireland heading into the inaugural Nations Championship this summer, and looking further beyond to 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.<\/p>\n
Since making his debut against South Africa in 2017, Aki has been an influential figure in Ireland\u2019s midfield, winning 69 Test caps in green, most recently coming off the bench in Saturday\u2019s victory over Scotland.<\/p>\n
Aki has won three Guinness Men\u2019s Six Nations titles with Ireland, including two Grand Slams, and in 2023 was nominated for the World Rugby Men\u2019s XVs Player of the Year award.<\/p>\n
Van der Flier won his 79th Test cap in green at the weekend, with his performances throughout the Championship campaign underlining his enduring worth in Ireland\u2019s back row.<\/p>\n
The 2022 World Rugby 15s Player of the Year remains a key part of Farrell\u2019s side and will continue playing his rugby with Ireland and Leinster until the end of the 2027\/28 campaign.<\/p>\n
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Gibson-Park, meanwhile, was one of Ireland\u2019s outstanding performers throughout the Guinness Men\u2019s Six Nations, most notably at Twickenham where his Player of the Match performance inspired Farrell\u2019s side to a memorable bonus point win.<\/p>\n
The scrum-half won his 50th Ireland cap against Wales earlier this month and news of his commitment to Ireland and Leinster for a further two years is a major boost.<\/p>\n
27-year-old Sheehan has established himself as one of the game\u2019s leading players since breaking on to the international scene against Japan in 2021, winning 39 Ireland caps in that time.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the hooker scored his 15th Six Nations try in green and Sheehan is a central figure in Ireland\u2019s pack.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the contract extensions, IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys said: \u201cI am delighted to announce that Bundee, Jamison, Dan and Josh have agreed to extend their contracts in Ireland. They are outstanding professionals who continue to deliver at the highest levels for their provinces and their country. Today\u2019s announcement is a positive one for Irish supporters coming off the back of a successful Guinness Men\u2019s Six Nations and building into an exciting conclusion to the URC and European campaigns.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also enables us to plan with confidence towards Rugby World Cup 2027 and beyond. That four key performers see their playing futures in Ireland is a strong endorsement of their ambition allied to the competitive environments, high calibre of coaching, medical support and improving facilities across the provinces. These re-signings also reaffirm the IRFU\u2019s commitment to attracting and retaining top-class talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell added: \u201cYou cannot underestimate the outstanding contributions of these four players to Irish Rugby over many years. That they see their futures here is a significant boost, which I have no doubt will delight Ireland supporters around the world. They are all key leaders who put their bodies on the line time and time again in reaching the highest standards on the field. All four players are a pleasure to work with and have played key roles throughout the recent Guinness Men\u2019s Six Nations. In congratulating Bundee, Jamison, Dan and Josh on their new contracts, we look forward to seeing them progress in Ireland in the months and years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n