Eddie gets Lions leave

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The four-year extension to his deal, announced yesterday and believed to be worth £1million, will enable him to meet the Lions' insistence that their head coach is free of national distractions prior to the three-Test series against the Springboks.

Sportsmail revealed yesterday that the Lions want O'Sullivan for the tour with Gerald Davies as his manager. But the Irish Rugby Union anticipated the move with a deal that gives their coach a sabbatical if necessary.

Forwards coach Niall O'Donovan could stand in for the 2009 Six Nations. O'Sullivan said: 'We have talked about it and my position as national coach would not restrict me from going for the Lions position.

If the Lions appointment becomes available to me and the Union are happy to give me a sabbatical, then I could take it on board for the time involved.' IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: 'We dealt with it before when Eddie went to New Zealand with the Lions two years ago.'