IRFU ponders contracts cut

IRISH rugby chiefs are considering reducing the number of national contracts they offer.

Currently the IRFU are understood to have agreements with 30 players but sources close to the union indicated this figure may be reduced to 22. Those players to lose out will be downgraded to provincial contracts, resulting in sizeable savings for the union in difficult financial times.

An IRFU spokesman last night said it was union policy not to provide figures on contractual matters.

He explained: “The IRFU does not divulge or comment on any of its contracts or number of contracts. This is commercial and competitively-sensitive information.”

Meanwhile former Lions star Richard Hill believes there could still be a place for his old team-mate Brian O’Driscoll on the 2013 tour to Australia. England flanker Hill toured Australia and New Zealand with O’Driscoll in 2001 and 2005 and is backing the Irish skipper, who is recovering from surgery, to join the elite rank of players who have made four tours with the Lions.

Hill said: “I’m sure Brian and Paul O’Connell will be harbouring thoughts of making another trip with the Lions and I’d be very surprised if anyone ruled themselves out of contention,” said Hill.

“Brian is going through a period of rest and rehabilitation which means then when he returns at the end of the season there will only be a year left to go before the Lions head Down Under. I’m sure his desire and passion to play for the Lions won’t have diminished. It’s key the Lions have senior and experienced players in their squad and, if Brian is playing well enough, then I can’t see a reason not to consider him.” If O’Driscoll is selected he will join fellow Irishmen Mike Gibson and Willie John McBride as the only players to have appeared on more than three tours. Both McBride (1962, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1974) and Gibson (1966, 1968, 1971, 1977, 1980) hold the record with five trips each.

O’Driscoll has 14 appearances, including six Tests, from his three tours to date, McBride has an all-time high of 68 matches and 15 Tests from five tours with Gibson on 66 games and 10 Tests.