Future uncertain but Slimani would be happy to extend stay at Leinster

The French star's present contract is set to expire next June.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Rabah Slimani at Leinster training at UCD. Pic: INPHO/Dan Clohessy

While he is uncertain about what the future holds for him, Rabah Slimani has said he would be more than happy to remain with Leinster beyond the end of the current campaign.

After previously enjoying lengthy spells in his native France with both Stade Francais and Clermont Auvergne over a 16-year period, Slimani joined Leinster in the summer of 2024 and has proven to be a valuable asset for head coach Leo Cullen.

In total, he made 23 appearances across the European Champions Cup and the United Rugby Championship last season – including an appearance off the bench as Leinster defeated the Bulls in the Grand Final of the latter competition.

Last March saw him signing an extension to his initial one-year deal with the province and although his present contract is set to expire next June, Slimani (who turned 36 last Saturday) is open to remaining in Dublin beyond this period.

“My contract finishes in June and now I don’t know what I’m doing next year. I don’t know if I’m staying here or going back to France. If Leo is happy [for me to stay], I’m happy too,” Slimani explained at a Leinster media briefing in UCD earlier this week.

“Coming to Leinster is a very big challenge for me. When I arrived here, I was 34-years-old. Some people said he’s finished for rugby and I just want to prove to the universe. Leo and the staff believe in me, and I feel much better now. I’m happy to be here.” 

One of the big advantages to Leinster signing Slimani was the fact he hadn’t played test rugby for France since the 2019 World Cup and was therefore expected to be available to Leo Cullen when the bulk of his first-choice side were away on international duty.

However, despite believing his time in the set-up was at an end, the Sarcelles man suddenly received a recall to the France squad for their successful Six Nations campaign earlier this year. While he didn’t see any game time in the Championship (and still managed to play twice for Leinster during this period), Slimani eventually added to his previous caps tally of 57 by featuring in two of the three tests Les Bleus played on their summer tour of New Zealand in July.

“I was really surprised about that because when I came to Leinster, for me the French team was finished. That is why I said ‘okay, I can leave France for Ireland’. I was surprised about that, but a very good surprise,” Slimani acknowledged.

“I was very happy to be back in the French team this summer. I just want to say thank you to Leinster because they believed in me, and the staff and the players believed in me. That’s why I feel good on the pitch and got back to France.” 

Despite gaining a starting berth in those games against the All Blacks, Slimani wasn’t selected in the French squad that Fabien Galthie named for their upcoming November internationals on Wednesday.

Yet with eight Leinster front-rows being included in the Irish set-up for the same window, Slimani has taken on a key leadership role with his current employers for the lead-in to their United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre Parma at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm).

“Everyone knows when the internationals are not here, there are so many young players. That’s a good opportunity. If young players are on this team, it is because they deserve it. They will give everything on Saturday. It’s up to me to contribute my experience with the young players. I’m happy to do that,” Slimani added.