Irish stars commit to Munster

Double European Cup champions Munster have received a huge boost with two of their stars, utility back Keith Earls and flank Denis Leamy committing themselves for another two years after signing new contracts with the IRFU.

The 24-year-old Earls and 30-year-old Leamy's new contracts will take them through to 2014.

Earls, who on Tuesday returned to training with the Ireland Six Nations squad for Saturday's match with France after he missed the opening 23-21 defeat by Wales because his baby girl was in hospital, has scored 21 tries in 66 appearances for Munster.

However, he has yet to taste European glory unlike Leamy, who played in both the 2006 and 2008 Cup winning sides.

"I'm really happy to get my contract completed," said Earls, who is also a British and Irish Lion having gone on the 2009 tour.

"Munster has been my only home as a player and growing up only a few hundred yards from Thomond Park, it was always a dream to play for them and to represent Ireland, so I'm delighted to remain a Munster player," he added.

Leamy, who was a member of the Irish side that won the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam, is presently recovering from hip surgery but was also delighted to have signed up again.

"I'm delighted that my contract has been sorted and that I can concentrate on getting back on the field as soon as possible," said Leamy.

"I've achieved a lot in my career, winning the Six Nations as well as European and Celtic League titles, but there is always the desire to try to continue that and achieve even more. It also makes it more pleasing to do that with Munster and to remain here in Ireland with my home province."

Munster topped their pool in this season's European Cup and are at home to fellow Irish province Ulster in the quarterfinals in the first weekend of April.

AFP