IRFU’s contracts time-bomb

THE IRFU has been urged to start immediate contract negotiations with some of its top players as at least nine internationals will be out of contract next June.

And, with Ireland and Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll having paid a very public visit to Biarritz last weekend, fuelling speculation that he may be considering a move to France, the IRFU are being urged to move quickly to prevent a major player drain.

Former Australian international Ryan Constable, who recently finished his playing career with Ulster and who now acts as an agent for several top players, said last night he was a mystified by the IRFU’s apparent inactivity on the contract situation.

“It would appear the IRFU are not exactly being pro-active on this issue and I find that a little strange because you can be sure that an organisation of that nature does not plan ahead just in 12 month periods,” Constable said.

“They plan around World Cup cycles of four years or more and it seems unusual that so many Irish players will see their contracts run out in June and have not yet been contacted by the Union.”

Constable added that it was a nervous time for players and it was natural to consider the available options.

“It is human nature for players to see what is potentially out there for them. But I’d have to say that in my experience, everyone has seen the benefits of sorting out contracts.

“If I was running an organisation and I identified people as critical to my future needs, then I would certainly try and secure them as early as possible.”

The contract issue came into sharp focus over the weekend when the Irish captain was a guest at Biarritz for the club’s home clash with Stade Francais and was later quoted in L’Equipe as saying: “I’ve never hidden the fact that at some stage I would like to play in France. My contract with the IRFU will finish at the end of June, so I have got to make a decision and it would not be for monetary reasons only.”

O’Driscoll also said that at some stage he would “like to experience a new lifestyle” and asked if that would be in Biarritz, he said: “Why not? I like the brand of rugby they play and I like the place and the atmosphere.”

O’Driscoll is not the only top player whose contract runs out next June, with Denis Hickie among as many as nine of the current Irish squad who are due for contract re-negotiations.

It is understood that the IRFU are undertaking a review of the basic contracts which the players are offered and this might be delaying matters.

“It makes sense to roll contracts over and we see a lot of that in American sport in particular where players’ contracts are negotiated well in advance and almost never when there is only a year left on the existing contract,” said Constable.

“Many of the players concerned are crucial for Ireland and it is in the best interests of Irish rugby to keep them centrally contracted,” he added.

The rugby players’ association boss Niall Woods echoes those sentiments, saying it was easier for the IRFU to plan ahead if they had contract negotiations out of the way.

He pointed out there had already been a player drain in recent years to England in particular, with the likes of Shane Byrne, Leo Cullen, Shane Jennings, Andy Dunne, Simon Keogh, Gavin Duffy and other fringe players on the Irish international scene all trying to make the grade there.

“You can’t blame the players completely for this, because these guys need to know they have security. The other thing is that the fear of not getting picked for Ireland is not as great if you are abroad,” he said.

Some observers fear a situation where Irish players will be ‘cherry picked’ by English and French clubs if the IRFU do not become more pro-active on the contracts issue.

One observer noted that if the IRFU were to sign O’Driscoll on a new contract quickly, it might prevent some of the game’s biggest names even considering other opportunities.