D’Arcy determined to keep going

Ireland’s ‘Golden Generation’ of rugby players is refusing to go gently into the night, with Gordon D’Arcy the latest member to declare an intent to play professionally for club and country until his body or employers say otherwise.

The Leinster centre signed a new two-year deal with the IRFU earlier this week which will keep him at the province until 2014 but D’Arcy, who is 32, is hopeful he will be offered a similar deal 24 months down the line.

“I will absolutely reluctantly give up my chance to play for this province,” he explained yesterday. “I will have to be literally told: “You have no contract. You are too old. Retire!” Until that day I will keep playing. I think I have a huge amount to offer and that is reflected in Leinster’s belief in me by offering a two-year contract. In a year-and-a-half’s time hopefully I will be sitting down talking to (the media) telling you I will be hanging around for another year or two.”