Grand Slam heroes get Lions share

IRELAND’S Grand Slam-winning Lions have already pocketed an extra €90,000 each from their remarkable on-field successes this year.

The 14 members of Declan Kidney’s Six Nations heroes selected yesterday to tour South Africa next month will pick up a minimum e35,000 from the Lions — plus additional bonuses if they are part of a squad that triumphs in the test series against the world champion Springboks. Each of Ian McGeechan’s 37-man squad is guaranteed £30,000 for selection, with incrementals built in.

And for the 14 Ireland players on the squad, that’s on top of the e55,000 bonus they’ve already collected from the IRFU for their historic achievements in winning the country’s first Grand Slam in 61 years. That Six Nations payment was made up of fees and match-day win bonuses.