Home where the heart: Keith Earls and Conor Murray stay with Munster

Opportunity to play for Ireland and longevity of career are the twin pillars on which Joe Schmidt appeals to his players to remain in the fold rather than follow the money overseas, and it seems Keith Earls and Conor Murray have been eager listeners.

In a massive boost to Munster, the Irish and Lions backs each put pen to paper on three-year IRFU contracts which will keep them at their province until the end of the 2019 World Cup.

Scrum-half Murray, 26, had hinted strongly in recent weeks staying in Ireland with Munster beyond his current contract, which expires in June, was “almost a no-brainer” but reports on Tuesday linking Earls, 28, with a big-money move to English Premiership champions Saracens had alarmed team-mates and fans in the province, where the exit of a homond Park hero would have sparked fears of a meltdown following their elimination from the Champions Cup.