Browne reports ‘positive’ talks on player succession strategy

IRFU chief executive Phillip Browne believes the governing body and the provinces are “singing from the same sheet” over the best way forward to implement the controversial Player Succession Strategy.

The IRFU’s proposals to restrict non-Irish eligible players to one per position across the Leinster, Munster and Ulster squads from 2013-14 attracted widespread criticism when announced just before Christmas.

Yet having since engaged with the provinces to discuss the strategy, most recently 10 days ago, Browne believes there is better understanding about what the IRFU wants to achieve, although there is still some ground to make up about how they want to do it.