The Irish Rugby Football Union has secured contract extensions for Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson‑Park and Josh van der Flier as part of its build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Connacht centre Bundee Aki has signed a one-year extension. Leinster pair Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson‑Park have each agreed two-year deals that run through the end of the 2027/28 season, while fellow Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan has committed for three years, through the end of 2028/29.
All four players were members of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and remain central to Andy Farrell’s planning as the squad prepares for the World Cup.
Aki made his Ireland debut against South Africa in 2017 and has amassed 69 Test caps, most recently appearing from the bench in Ireland’s Triple Crown win over Scotland. He has helped Ireland to three Guinness Men’s Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, and was shortlisted for the World Rugby Men’s XVs Player of the Year in 2023.
Flanker Josh van der Flier won his 79th Test cap in the Scotland match and was named World Rugby 15s Player of the Year in 2022. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson‑Park celebrated his 50th Ireland cap in the March win over Wales. Hooker Dan Sheehan, 27, has been an established presence since his debut versus Japan in 2021 and has earned 39 caps to date.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell welcomed the signings, highlighting the quartet’s sustained contributions and leadership: their decisions to remain in Ireland provide a strong boost for the national setup and for supporters worldwide, he said, noting their professionalism, high standards and influence throughout the recent Six Nations.
IRFU performance director David Humphreys described the extensions as a positive development for Irish rugby. He praised the players’ consistency for province and country, said the re‑signings support planning toward the 2027 World Cup and beyond, and added that the commitments reflect the attractive coaching, medical support and facilities across the provinces as the union continues to retain top‑class talent.