IRFU have announced contract extensions for Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier.
This secures the future of four key players as Ireland head coach Andy Farrell builds his squad ahead of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup.
Bundee Aki
Connacht’s Aki has signed a new one-year contract extension. Leinster duo van der Flier and Gibson-Park have put pen to paper on two-year contracts until the end of the 2027/28 season. Sheehan has committed his future to Ireland and Leinster for a further three years, until the end of the 2028/29 campaign.
Since his debut against South Africa in 2017, Aki has been an influential figure in Ireland’s midfield, winning 69 Test caps in the green jersey, and most recently coming off the bench in Saturday’s win over Scotland.
Aki won three Guinness Men’s Six Nations titles with Ireland, including two Grand Slams, and was nominated in 2023 for the World Rugby Men’s XV Player of the Year award.
Josh van de Flier
Van der Flier earned his 79th Test cap in green this weekend, with his performances throughout the Championship campaign underlining his enduring value in Ireland’s back row.
The 2022 World Rugby 15s Player of the Year remains a key part of Farrell’s squad and will continue to play rugby with Ireland and Leinster until the end of the 2027/28 campaign.
Jamison Gibson-Park
Gibson-Park was one of Ireland’s outstanding players throughout the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, notably at Twickenham where his Player of the Match performance inspired Farrell’s side to a memorable bonus point victory.
The scrum-half earned his 50th Irish cap against Wales earlier this month and the news of his commitment to Ireland and Leinster for two more years comes as a huge boost.
Dan Sheehan
Sheehan, 27, has established himself as one of the game’s leading players since bursting onto the international stage against Japan in 2021, winning 39 Ireland caps in that time.
The hooker scored his 15th Six Nations try in green on Saturday and Sheehan is a central figure in the Irish pack.
Key leaders
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said of today’s contract extensions:
“You cannot underestimate the outstanding contributions these four players have made to Irish rugby over many years. The fact that they see their future here is a significant boost that I am sure will delight Irish fans around the world. They are all key leaders who put their bodies on the line time and time again to achieve the highest standards on the field.
“These four players are a pleasure to work with and played a key role throughout the recent Guinness Men’s Six Nations. Congratulating Bundee, Jamison, Dan and Josh on their new contracts, we look forward to seeing them progress in Ireland in the months and years to come.”
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