IRUPA on the ball as players gear-up for retirement

A CAREER in the professional ranks is the obvious target for thousands of young rugby players and those who make it to the top can expect rich financial rewards.

But spare a thought for the journeyman whose financial reward is modest, with the threat of injury ever-present.

In that category are 41 Irish players who were released from contracts on June 30. Granted, some were moving to clubs abroad and of those retiring some had jobs lined up.