RG SNYMAN EXTENDS STAY IN IRELAND AFTER AGREEING NEW LEINSTER DEAL

RG Snyman’s time in Irish rugby is set to continue after agreeing a one-year extension on his contract with Leinster.

The lock made the controversial move last summer to swap the red of Munster for the blue of their rivals to the east.

After an injury-disrupted start following last summer’s Rugby Championship, the two-time World Cup winner made his debut for his new side against Munster in Croke Park last October.

The 30-year-old has since impressed for Leo Cullen’s side and started the narrow URC defeat to the Bulls in his homeland last Saturday.

RG Snyman new deal

On Thursday, the Irish province had agreed a new deal to keep him in south Dublin for the 2025/26 campaign.

It had originally been reported last year that the South African star’s time with Leinster would be limited to a single season, but he has nevertheless opted to remain for a further 12 months.

The Blues have plenty of international talent on their books at present with France star Rabah Slimani and New Zealand’s Jordie Barrett also both impressing this season.

There remains confusion over Leinster’s selection policy for Champions Cup games this season after head coach Leo Cullen previously failed to clarify whether there are restrictions on picking Snyman when Ireland locks Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are available for selection.

The towering forward was named on the bench for the province’s opening pool game against Bristol in December and the meeting with Clermont the following week.

Asked last year whether he was allowed by the IRFU to start Snyman in a big Champions Cup game when McCarthy and Ryan are available, Cullen said: ‘That’s a very private question, I don’t know if I’d be able to answer that in this forum.

‘There would always be conversations that would go on in the background, but it’s not something I’d be willing to share publicly here.

‘We’ve got a couple of good ones starting and RG does that [replacements] role pretty well for South Africa, so I think we’re all happy.’