Rugby: relief as Kearney becomes final "big name" to sign new deal with IRFU:

Hands up for today's news:  KEARNEY signs new IRFU deal

The IRFU has happily announced today that Ireland and Leinster fullback Rob Kearney has agreed terms on a new two-year contract.

There were fears that if one of the "marquee" names in Irish rugby were tempted by French fortunes (who can pay up to three times more than Irish provinces); that it'd open the floodgates for many more big Irish names to follow suit. However, Kearney appears to be one of the last "big names" to sign a new deal with the IRFU. The new contract will see him playing rugby for his home province until the end of the 2013 season.

Kearney, who is currently receiving treatment for a knee injury, joins a list of

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international players such as legend Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, and Jamie Heaslip who
have agreed new contracts in recent months.

Louth native Kearney who has earned 27 caps to date; made his Ireland debut against Argentina in 2007 at Croke Park.