Warwick deal confusion continues

LONDON IRISH are adamant they want Paul Warwick playing with them in the Guinness Premiership next season though they still doubt whether the Munster player still wants the move.

Insisting that Warwick signed a two-year legally binding deal on January 13, a club source admitted yesterday that the player might well have had a change of heart.

A spokesperson for London Irish issued a statement that read: “We have a signed contract with the player that requires him to turn up for the start of pre-season training on July 1.”

Munster added intrigue to the controversy by declining to say anything officially. A Munster source said that Warwick was contracted to the Reds until the end of the season and said there was no need to elaborate.

In the absence of any further statements from the clubs concerned, it was suggested that perhaps the player would clarify the situation.

The nearest to that happening came late last night when London Irish spokesperson Paddy Lennon admitted Warwick had made contact with the club yesterday on request.

But Mr Lennon declined to elaborate on that discussion, admitting that he was precluded from doing so.

Earlier, unofficial London Irish sources suggested that Warwick, having signed on the dotted line earlier this month, has had a change of heart and now wants to remain with Munster, even though he has allegedly signed a legal document contracting him to the exile team for 24 months.