Leinster head-coach Leo Cullen says he has no update on Tadhg Furlong's contract talks with the IRFU.
The Lions tight-head has yet to agree a new central contract and is in the final months of his current deal.
“I can give you no clarity, no,” the Leinster coach said at a press conference ahead of the Rainbow Cup. “I’m sorry, it’s a short answer!
“I’d love to say I can, but I can’t. Like all these things, these negotiations, they play out the way they do. I don’t have any clarity, unfortunately.”
Cullen says he's hopeful of a breakthrough in the talks and added that the Wexford man is too important to be allowed to leave.
“Absolutely, he’s such an important player in the group, Tadhg. You could see we missed him in the group, particularly that early part of the season.
"I think it was the same for Ireland, the national coaches would probably say something similar as well. He’s made a big impact since he’s come back just before the Six Nations.
“He had that 40 minutes against Scarlets and straight into the Six Nations and he had some big performances during the course of that tournament. But yeah, competition is good in that area.”
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