Tadhg Beirne has extended his contract with the IRFU until the end of the 2024-25 season, with the Ireland and Munster second row admitting the decision was “an easy one”.
The 30-year-old has played every minute of Ireland’s 2022 Guinness Six Nations campaign so far, with Andy Farrell’s side beating Wales 29-7 before losing 30-24 to France.
A product of the Leinster academy, he made his Ireland debut against Australia on the summer tour in 2018 before featuring in every game of their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign.
Beirne has won 27 caps for Ireland to date and was also selected for The British & Irish Lions on their 2021 Tour to South Africa, winning caps in the first two Tests against the Springboks.
“I have made some tough decisions in my career but this was an easy one,” he said.
“I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey – my family, my partner and the different coaches along the way who helped me become a better player.
“Representing Munster, Ireland and the Lions over the past few seasons has been fantastic and I am looking forward to contributing in red and green in the years to come.”
After coming through the system at Leinster, Beirne joined welsh outfit Scarlets in 2016 and helped the Welsh province win a PRO12 title in 2017.
A year later he joined Munster, making his debut for the southern province against Glasgow Warriors in September 2018. He has represented Munster on 45 occasions to date.
David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, said: “Tadhg’s journey to a green jersey has not been a straight line but he backed himself and proved his quality.
“Since his return to Ireland in 2018 he has continued to improve his game and illustrate his worth to both Munster and Irish rugby with the consistency and quality of his performances.”
Following their defeat in Paris, a group of 23 Ireland players will reassemble on Thursday for a two day mini-cap at the IRFU High Performance Centre on the Sport Ireland Campus.
14 players have been released to their provinces and are available for selection in the United Rugby Championship, including Connacht duo Jack Carty and Dave Heffernan.
Ryan Baird, Cian Healy and Jordan Larmour (all Leinster), Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes and Dave Kilcoyne (all Munster), and Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Michael Lowry, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney and Kieran Treadwell (all Ulster) have also been released.
Ulster hooker Rob Herring will rejoin the Ireland squad for the mini-camp, having been ruled out of the opening two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations with a calf issue.
Ronan Kelleher’s shoulder issue will be further investigated this week by the medical team while captain Johnny Sexton will continue his hamstring rehab and return-to-rugby programme.
