Michael Ala'alatoa agrees new contract at Leinster

Leinster prop Michael Ala'alatoa has agreed a new contract to remain at the province.

The tighthead extends his deal at the RDS by at least one year, having joined in the summer of 2021 from Super Rugby's Crusaders.

The 31-year-old has been heavily involved in his two seasons in Dublin, playing 41 times and scoring five tries across the BKT United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup.

An older brother of Australia international Allan, Ala'alatoa has won 13 caps for Samoa, and has captained them since 2021.

It's been a busy week of contract renewals at Leinster this week, with Scott Penny and Joe McCarthy both extending their deals in recent days.

One player departing Leinster is academy flanker Sean O'Brien, with the former Ireland U20 international joining Connacht next season.

Born in Pittsburgh but Irish-qualified, O'Brien has made three professional appearances for Leinster and also had a stint with the LA Giltinis in the MLR, helping them to win the title in 2021, while he also played for Ireland U20 in 2020 alongside future Connacht teammates Cian Prendergast, Cathal Forde, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Oran McNulty and Andrew Smith.

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