Confirmed: Tadhg Furlong signs new, improved contract with Leinster and the IRFU

Great news for Irish rugby fans and the Leinster faithful ahead of another big Champions Cup encounter.

Leinster have confirmed that Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong will commit his future to Irish Rugby by signing a new three-year deal with the IRFU believed to be in the region of €400-450k per annum. https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/941693002321448961 SportsJOE first reported on Thursday that the 25-year-old would sign a new central contract with the union, which will be a significant upgrade on his current deal - a provincial contract he signed with Leinster in May 2014. The deal was very close to being done late last week and  it was confirmed by Leinster on Friday. Furlong will bring Leinster's current crop of international players on central contracts up to nine players with Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Devin Toner, Seán O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Johnny Sexton, Robbie Henshaw and Rob Kearney also signed to national contracts, although Kearney is up for renegotiation himself. The renewal will cap an excellent year for Furlong where he started all five of Ireland's Six Nations games as well as all three Tests of the British & Irish Lions series against New Zealand. “I am delighted to have signed a contract with the IRFU to continue to play with Leinster," said Furlong. "I got a number of opportunities over the past few seasons that have helped me to develop as a player and I want to continue to develop and be successful with both Leinster and Ireland.” Mick Dawson, CEO Leinster Rugby commented, “This is great news for Leinster and Ireland. Tadhg is a product of the Leinster Youths system and has come through New Ross, into our age grade system into our senior team and now to the highest honours with Ireland and the Lions. “His signature is a huge boost as we continue to build for the coming seasons. Securing homegrown and young talent like Tadhg is a key part of the Leinster way.” When Furlong signed his last contract in 2014, the province announced the signing alongside 20 other players. Speaking to SportsJOE earlier this week, Leinster and Ireland loose-head Cian Healy spoke of how much Furlong has progressed in recent seasons. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/941238598300512256 Furlong's immediate focus will be trying to help Leinster double down with back-to-back Champions Cup wins over Exeter Chiefs. Both sides meet at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday.