Peter O'Mahony has put weeks of speculation linking him with a move abroad to bed, after signing a new deal with the IRFU.
The new contract will see him remain at Munster until the end of the 2020-2021 season.
It will come as a welcome boost to Irish rugby fans, who have gotten used to seeing O'Mahony in green since making his debut in the 2012 6 Nations.
He's gone on to win 42 caps for his country and become a mainstay in the starting 15 with his last appearance coming against Argentina in the recent 28-19 Guinness Series victory.
O'Mahony says representing Ireland at international level was a key reason in his decision to stay on Irish soil "Playing for my country is something I dreamed of growing up as a boy, so I cherish each occasion I am lucky enough to take to the field in an Irish jersey. I look forward to building on what has been achieved to date with the rest of the Irish squad and management team.”
Former Irish international Alan Quinlan commented on the deal "It's fantastic news for Munster and Ireland of course. He's so ingluential and a natural leader. I'm sure if he's signed the contract it's satisfactory to both parties. I think it would have been unthinkable if he was going to leave".
Shane Byrne made 41 international appearances for Ireland, and believes the desire to play on the world stage is the biggest attraction in signing with the IRFU "It's all that we have to hold players is the green jersey. It's the want that we all - as Irish players - have is to play in that jersey, because we can never match the money."
