Drico Signs!!! One more Year!!!

[Donny B.]

Just heard it on the radio!

The IRFU today (15 May) announced a new one year contract with Brian O'Driscoll which will see him remain available to play for Ireland and Leinster until the end of June 2014.
Brian made his senior Ireland and Leinster debuts in 1999 and has since gone on to appear 125 times for Ireland and 172 times for Leinster, scoring 46 international and 59 Leinster tries.
Ahead of this week's Amlin Challenge Cup final Brian has already won a Grand Slam, four triple crowns, three Heineken Cups and two RaboDirect Pro 12 (Celtic League) championships.

Brian O'Driscoll said: "I want to thank the IRFU and Leinster for allowing me the time to think about my future and discuss my options with my family.

"The support my family and the Irish and Leinster fans have shown me over the past few months, and indeed years, has been phenomenal and I am now very much looking forward to one more year playing with Ireland and Leinster."

Announcing the contract extension IRFU CEO Philip Browne, said: "The IRFU is delighted that Brian has chosen to sign a new contract, ensuring he remains available to Ireland and Leinster for one more year.

Brian is a truly exceptional talent and there is no doubt that this new contract will boost our game, at every level, in the coming year.

We wish him, his Leinster and indeed his Lions teammates all the very best in their forthcoming games and look forward to working with Brian in the 2013/14 season."

Joe Schmidt said: "It's great that Brian has agreed to continue playing. He's an inspirational player, not only on the pitch, but also on the training ground.

"He's played well again this season and other players continue to learn from him. I know that every squad of which he is a part will profit from his qualities both as a rugby player and a person."

[Grumpy Old Man]

Ah b*%&!cks.

Just the one?

[Maradona10]

Get bleedin in!

[bluemagic]

We seriously need to keep up the chant with ISA, it obviously works! Brilliant News!

[Peg Leg]

Genuinely exciting news!!!
Class

What happened to waiting to see how he felt after the lions?

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'm beginning to think ror is actually BOD! Or at least the forumming equivalent given that he always comes up with the goods!

Great news! Regardless of the Lions and what happens over the next couple of weeks, I'd hate for his last season at Leinster to be have been so disrupted by injury and to not involve the knockouts of the HC.

So the world cup is getting closer and closer......

[Edna Kenny]

I'd imagine he thought it was better to announce it now so he doens't have to deal with a billion questions with the Lions, will this be his last game etc.

Brilliant news. I'd say as soon as Joe took the Ireland job it sealed the deal. A crack at the All Blacks in the autumn and hopefully a chance to bow out with Ireland on a high in the 6 nations. One more year!

[hugonaut]

Great news! Delighted that Drico has decided to stay on another year, absolutely no reason for him to countenance quitting on the form he has shown this season.

[simonno6]

Thank you ROR for giving me one less thing to worry about re Leinster from a few weeks back!!

Still great to see it official!!!

Let's keep at it next year - "ONE MORE YEAR!"

[fourthirtythree]

Well that's made a lot of people's day happier. Thanks.

[jimbobjoe]

This makes me happy. I shall devote the rest of my work day to looking at highlight reels of the great one on youtube and rugbydump.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

This makes me happy. I shall devote the rest of my work day to looking at highlight reels of the great one on youtube and rugbydump.

You mean the montages that were done for the end of the 6N when everyone thought he was done?

[Hippo]

There's one happy hippo here

[Bogger]

big boost for the ST I reckon !! A lot of the younger guys will benefit massively from this especially if he can stay fit 50% of the time !!!

[Darce]

Only one year out from the RWC at the end of this deal.

They way he's playing and the shape he's in, he could push on if managed correctly

[Blue not red blood]

Brilliant news.
My weekend has just started

[Armchair]

Thank BOD for that!!

[BlueArmyOriginal]

WooHoo!! Fantastic news that's made my day! The only things missing for BOD are a lions series win and beating nz Hopefully he'll achieve these and round it off with another Grand Slam(And then we can start persuading him to stay on till the RWC)

[tones]

For the final 2 matches can we get a large singing heralding the "One More Year" Announcement?

[Exley]

Terrific news. He's still the best 13 in the land, by a distance.