More good news for Leinster as Healy signs new three-year contract

The IRFU have announced that Cian Healy has signed a new three-year contract with the IRFU which will see him remain in Ireland and playing with Leinster up until the end of the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

The loosehead prop made his senior debut for Leinster in May 2007 and has since made 148 appearances for Leinster scoring 17 tries.

“There are a lot of exciting young talented players coming through at Leinster and Ireland and I am looking forward to competing for silverware over the next few seasons," Healy said today.

"I feel that I am coming back to full fitness now and would like to thank the medical and strength and conditioning teams for their ongoing support.”

He made his Ireland debut in the 20-20 draw with Australia in November 2009 and has gone on to win 56 caps for his country scoring 3 tries. His last cap for Ireland was during the Rugby World Cup, although he hopes to be fit to play a part when Ireland face England in Twickenham at the end of this month.

He has won three European Cups, a Challenge Cup and two PRO12 league titles with Leinster and two RBS Six Nations Championship titles with Ireland.

New 3 yr IRFU contract for @ProperChurch at @leinsterrugby https://t.co/RP92SoZoCO pic.twitter.com/qKg2EdhVXO

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 17, 2016

IRFU Performance Director, David Nucifora said "Cian is one of the most explosive athletes in world rugby and has proven for both Ireland and Leinster his ability to compete at the highest levels of the game.

“We are delighted that Cian has committed to playing in Ireland up until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan."

News of Healy’s contract follows yesterday’s announcement that Robbie Henshaw was moving to Leinster at the end of the season, while a host of existing players committed their futures to the province.