IRFU won’t be held to ransom

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne has declared that the union will not bankrupt itself in its attempts to persuade the country’s top-shelf internationals to ignore the lure of lucrative contracts from abroad.

The union has been engaged in discussions with a number of high-profile players for a number of months now and has already secured deals with the likes of Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and, more recently, Cian Healy.

Others, such as Jonathan Sexton, Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien, are known to be targets for some of the wealthier Top 14 clubs in France and Browne conceded that the Irish union has no chance — or intention — of competing in a bidding war with such suitors.

“From our point of view it makes perfect sense to try and retain our international players here in the country and that’s what we intend to do to the best of our ability,” said Browne. “But at the same time we have to be sensible about it.

“We can’t bankrupt the IRFU. We have a much bigger role to play than just professional rugby. We have a lot of agendas that we have to manage and that’s what we do.”

The CEO was, appropriately given that last point, speaking at an announcement that Ulster Bank will begin a three-year term as the IRFU’s official community rugby partner, a role that will include title sponsorship of the All-Ireland League and the Club International side. Vital though that sector may be to the future of the game, it is the international side and the four provinces that drive the sport forward and there is even greater unease about the intentions of players now, with the four-year World Cup cycle coming to a close.

“It depends on what a player wants out of his career,” Browne added. “There tends to be change at the end of every World Cup cycle, whether it’s coaches, players, the game itself and how the game is managed and run. There is a natural four-year cycle to things.

“We would like to try and make sure that we look after our players in terms of player-welfare programmes, in terms of making sure they don’t get pushed and pulled, playing 30-40 fixtures, in excess of 40 fixtures if you happen to be playing in France.

“It makes no sense for a player in terms of their longevity, in terms of their ability to be able to make a significant contribution to the national team, if they are not visible and we are not able to access the players when we need them for squad sessions etcetera.”

Despite all the speculation, Browne claimed yesterday that there has been no more interest in Irish players this year than in the 14 previous seasons in which he has been at the helm but, whatever about that, some things have undeniably changed.

Player agents have long been powerful brokers in the world of soccer and they’re reaching a similar level in rugby. The introduction of such a third party into the mix is not necessarily in the IRFU’s favour when it comes to hammering out deals.

“As the game develops, so the role of agents has developed,” said Browne. “What that tends to do is in some cases it’s in the agents’ interest to make sure the players move because at the end of the day there is more value for the agents in doing that.

“We would hope the players would take a longer-term view of things and take a look at the bigger picture. From our point of view it’s really important for us that our international team is based here in Ireland.”

Meanwhile, Browne has reaffirmed the union’s determination to provide the best possible medical and health support for players after some disturbing findings arose from an IRUPA (Irish Rugby Union Players Association) player survey over the weekend.

According to the report, over 40% of players admitted to having been pressured into playing while injured with half that again admitting that they had stayed on the field after suffering some form of concussion. “It requires trust and honesty on a whole lot of levels and we have read some of the articles by some players where they haven’t told doctors exactly what they feel or if they are in a condition to play,” said Browne.

“That is another issue and we have to deal with all those issues — the playing side, the medical side and the coaching side. There are three parties here and we have to make sure that the players get the best possible treatment and medical service.”