Clubs fear potential player restrictions

THE country’s rugby clubs could be on a collision course with the IRFU and the provinces after details emerged this weekend of plans to potentially restrict the availability of certain representative players for Ulster Bank League action in the future.

Cork Constitution coach Brian Walsh and some of his counterparts in the All-Ireland League fear that Munster, and possibly other provinces, may dispense with development contracts from next season.

Such a move could bring those on development deals — which currently act as the second of a three-tier system, between academy players and those on full contracts — into the senior ranks.