McGahan vexed by new rules

TONY McGAHAN has added his voice to the chorus of provincial disapproval at the IRFU’s changes to player contracts.

The Munster coach — plotting a positive Heineken Cup tee-up with a RaboDirect Pro12 clash against Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday — yesterday expressed his serious concern at the union’s decision to cut the number of overseas players allowable to the provinces and its plan to restrict where those personnel can fit in to squads in terms of playing positions.

McGahan is concerned that the strategy in relation to signings will have to be changed in mid-cycle. “Retention and recruitment is something that is ongoing and it’s ongoing for the entire year; you don’t just reach a point and start going through it. The details that have come out in the last few weeks have put a different complexion on where we’re going forward both with overseas players, national players and the younger players coming through.