 Shane Byrne failed to agree a new Leinster contract |
Lions and Ireland hooker Shane Byrne has left Leinster and joined Saracens on a two-year deal. The 34-year-old Dubliner failed to agree terms on a new IRFS contract.
Byrne's move will be seen as another blow to Leinster who have lost Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings to Leicester and David Quinlan to Northampton.
The Irish forward will team up with another Sarries newcomer, Andy Farrell, the former Rugby League star who has switched codes to Union.
Byrne's move could put his international place at stake and he is now unlikely to feature in the 2007 World Cup.
Bernard Jackman, a close-season signing from Connacht, will now be in the front line for Leinster and is considered likely Ireland replacement if Byrne loses his place.
Jackman was part of the Ireland tour to Japan in June and came on in both Tests as a late replacement.
Byrne has 38 caps for his country and having made 135 appearances for Leinster.
He was first selected for an Ireland squad back in 1993, but only made his debut as a replacement in 2001 when Keith Wood was touring with the Lions in Australia.
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