Shane Byrne moving to Saracens

Lions hooker Shane Byrne has failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with Leinster and now looks to be going to Zurich Premiership side Saracens in the UK.

The deadline for the renewal of the 38-times capped Irish international’s contract passed on Thursday and he has now signed a two-year deal with the English club.

Leinster has already lost three players to English clubs since the end of last season: second row Leo Cullen and flanker Shane Jennings are moving to Leicester; while centre David Quinlan will play with Northampton.

Bernard Jackman the Connacht hooker has signed for Leinster and will likely be the starting number two in the absence of Byrne who has played 135 times for the province.