All Black Jordie Barrett farewelled in Ireland as Leinster confirm list of 10 end-of-season leavers
Short-term Leinster signing Jordie Barrett
Leinster have confirmed a 10-strong list of leavers ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, including All Blacks star Jordie Barrett.
Hosting their end-of-season awards night on Tuesday, three days after they were eliminated from the Investec Champions Cup at the semi-final stage, the Irish province acknowledged the contributions of seven departing senior players and three more from the academy.
Included among the farewells was All Black Jordie Barrett, whose short-term deal expires at the end of the current United Rugby Championship campaign. He will be replaced at the Irish club next season by fellow New Zealander Rieko Ioane, a transfer story that broke in April.
Leinster’s decision to only start Barrett from the bench in last Saturday’s Champions Cup loss to Northampton was hugely criticised in the aftermath of the 34-37 defeat that prevented them from qualifying for a fourth successive final.
Two of the other players saluted on stage at the awards night in Dublin, Leo Barron and Michael Milne, have already departed for Munster, while Ross Byrne is moving across the Irish Sea to join Gloucester in the Premiership and Cian Healy is retiring.
Backs Rob Russell and Liam Turner completed the seven-strong list of senior Leinster squad leavers, with academy trio Rory McGuire, Aitzol King and Ben Brownlee also departing.
“So many special days…”
Club social media messages on Wednesday read: “Thank you for the incredible memories to our senior players who are leaving Leinster Rugby at the end of the season. Thank you Rob Russell, Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Liam Turner and Jordie Barrett.
“183 caps and 1,194 points and counting. Ross Byrne has been there for so many special days and is still planning for a few more. Thank you and the very best of luck in the next chapter.
“A special thank you to the Academy players who will be leaving the province at the end of the season. Thank you to Rory McGuire, Aitzol King and Ben Brownlee for your contribution to Leinster Rugby.”
A separate message posted later on Wednesday thanked Healy for his lengthy service. “He gave his all for the blue shirt since 2007. At the end of this season, our most decorated and most capped player of all time will hang up his boots. Thank you for everything, Cian.”
