Kidney upbeat about future

By Barry Coughlan

Toulouse's seven home substitutes are reputed to be paid as much as the entire Munster team, but assistant Irish coach Declan Kidney reckons it is unlikely any Irish province will go down that same road of financial inducement.

In any event, the Irish Rugby Football Union paymasters have taken a conscious decision to facilitate and develop Irish-based players as much as possible. It's country first, provinces next.