Munster convince Simon Zebo to make u-turn and sign new deal

Munster have convinced winger Simon Zebo to turn down a move to France and the Top 14, with the Ireland international instead committing his future to Thomond Park until June 2018.

Zebo's new two-year deal brings an end to the speculation that he would move onto the continent next season, and further boosts Munster after last week's saw contract extensions signed with Zebo's fellow internationals Keith Earls and Conor Murray.

The 25-year-old had been locked in negotiations over a new contract for months, and his decision to remain on home shores is another boost for Ireland's head coach Joe Schmidt.

Last week centre Earls rejected an offer from Saracens to remain with Munster for another three seasons, with scrum-half Murray also penning a deal of the same length with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

"Simon's record speaks for itself and keeping a player with his experience and versatility is key to our plans going forward," said Munster head coach Anthony Foley.

"We are delighted that he has committed his future to Munster.

"It's great to have even more good news on the contract front."

Zebo's new Munster deal provides further vindication for Ireland head coach Schmidt who last week rubbished claims that Ireland was facing a mass player-drain following the announcements that Leinster's Marty Moore will join Wasps in the summer with fly-half Ian Madigan also leaving Ireland having signed for Bordeaux.

"I've seen the word 'exodus' used a number of times, I've read the book by Leon Uris along with another Leon Uris title," said Schmidt last week.

"It defies the dictionary definition of 'exodus'.

"There's always concern when we lose the opportunity to manage that player.

"We get the training volume from the provinces, we know their strength and conditioning programmes, their total training minutes."