Max Deegan, Will Connors and Ross Byrne agree new Leinster contracts

Max Deegan, Will Connors and Ross Byrne are the latest international trio to have agreed new contracts at URC leaders Leinster.

It continues the flurry of contract extensions announced by the four-time European champions, the most recent being Caelan Doris, Jordan Larmour and Tommy O'Brien yesterday.

Byrne's future had been the subject of plenty of speculation. While the 26-year-old is the consistent deputy for Johnny Sexton at his province, he appears to be much further down the pecking order with Ireland, with his younger brother Harry picked ahead of him in the last 12 months.

The out-half had reportedly been in demand by clubs in France, but he looks set to remain in Dublin for the foreseeable future, although the length of the new contract has not been disclosed.

Byrne has played 117 times for Leinster since his debut in 2015, with his 749 points moving him up to fourth in their all-time list, behind Sexton, Felipe Contepomi and Ian Madigan.

Deegan had also reportedly been a serious target for clubs abroad, given the depth of back row talent at the province.

The 25-year-old's form saw him break into the Ireland squad in 2020, winning one cap before the season was cut short due to Covid-19.

An ACL injury in October 2020 set back his progress but the number eight returned in September of last year.

And the Lansdowne club man has slowly built his way back to form, playing 12 times and scoring three tries in all competitions this season.

Like Deegan, Connors has also been the victim of a cruciate ligament injury in the last year.

The 25-year-old back row had won nine Ireland caps and been a regular presence in Farrell's squad prior to his knee injury 12 months ago.

However, after returning to action in January of this year, a