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.